12.01.2010 19:00
Archbishop Hilarion of Volokolamsk delivers Patriarchal awards to those who prepared the visit of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to Ukraine
On 12 January 2010, Archbishop Hilarion delivers awards to those who worked for the preparation of the visit of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to Ukraine in 2009.
The DECR chairman said, “This was a historical visit. His Holiness met with the believers in the Western and Eastern parts of the country and in Kiev, its capital city. The visit caused spiritual enthusiasm in the entire country and affected not only the Orthodox members of the canonical Church, but also those in schism and those who do not belong to the Orthodox Church. These people listened to the TV broadcasts and could see the Patriarch face to face.
“We have made certain that the absolute majority of the Orthodox Christians in Ukraine see Patriarch Kirill as their spiritual leader,” the DECR chairman underscored. “Predictions of the crowds of people protesting against the Patriarch’s visit did not come true. The visit exceeded expectations; its success was made for by the high-quality and professional preparation.”
Patriarchal awards were conferred upon M. Komarov, S. Baranov, M. Kudelya, and Ya. Baskov for assistance rendered by them to the success of the Patriarchal visit to Ukraine and as a blessing for their zealous work to the glory of the Russian Orthodox Church.