Primate of UOC awards Patriarch Kirill the highest order of the Russian Church

The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church honored Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia on his 70th birthday with the highest church award - the Order of St. Andrew. The award was presented to the ROC Primate by Metropolitan Onufriy of Kiev and All Ukraine after the Liturgy in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, reports Interfax.

"Sparing no effort and time, you zealously and diligently commit the most important thing on earth – lead people along the path of salvation," said the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

He stressed out the patriarch's efforts to protect traditional moral values, his prayer to overcome the hostility and confrontation, Patriarch’s firm stand in faith.

"The Russian Orthodox Church speaks through you, the world listens to your voice and the eyes of millions of our contemporaries are upon you. You are a spiritual leader, enjoying the high confidence and authority of the people," said His Beatitude.

As the UOJ reported earlier, The Divine Liturgy was attended by the heads and representatives of 15 Local Orthodox Churches.

Tags Onufriy Metropolitan Kirill the Order of St. Andrew Orthodox Church