Patriarchal awards presented for assistance in restoring Russian Necropolis in Belgrade

On 9 October 2015, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, presented Patriarchal awards to some Russian statesmen in consideration of their contribution to the restoration of Russian Necropolis in Belgrade.

The restoration was completed on 1 August 2014, the centenary of the beginning of World War I. Patriarch Irinej of Serbia celebrated Divine Liturgy and requiem service for Russian soldiers fallen for the freedom of Serbia.

Receiving the awards were H.E. Alexander Konuzin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Serbia (Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh, 2^nd class); Anatoly Lisitsyn, a member of the Federation Council (Medal of St. Sergius of Radonezh, 1^st class); and Mr. A. Ivanov, head of the department for work with compatriots of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Patriarchal diploma).