Rector of the Russian church in Johannesburg presents high Patriarchal award to the Russian ambassador to South Africa

On 12 June 2006, Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of South Africa A.A.Kushakov gave a reception on the occasion of the Day of Russia in his residence in Pretoria.

State officials, representatives of public and business circles of South Africa, ambassadors and staff of the diplomatic missions, numerous members of the Russian diaspora visited the residence to celebrate the national holiday of Russia and to bid farewell to A.A.Kushakov, who is leaving for Russia as his term of office expires.

At the beginning of the reception A.A.Kushakov was greeted by the South African deputy foreign minister Aziz Pakhad, and Ambassador of Libya to South Africa and dean of the diplomatic corps Alzou Bedi. At the end of the official part, the floor was given to the rector of the Russian Orthodox church of St. Sergius in Johannesburg Rev. Ioann Lapidus. He read out a congratulatory address of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia to A.A.Kushakov and presented him an Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh, 3rd class. Rev. Ioann Lapidus cordially thanked the Ambassador on behalf of the parish council for his work, care for and participation in the parish life, and wished him God’s help in his future work for the welfare of Russia.