His Holiness Karekin II awarded the prize of the International Fund of
Unity of Orthodox Peoples
armradio.am
22.01.2010 13:16
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has given Catholicos Karekin
II of All Armenians the prize of the International Fund of Unity of
Orthodox Peoples for his contribution to strengthening unity between
Orthodox believes and building a Russian church in Armenia.
The patriarch named Karekin II as `a big friend of the Russian
Orthodox Church’. `Over many centuries we are like brothers despite
the differences of our languages and doctrinal differences between the
Churches,’ His Holiness said, Itar-Tass reports.
He stressed that Russia and Armenia `lived as one state for a long
time. Today our peoples have maintained intensive cooperation and
communication.’
`The Armenian diaspora lives in many countries. Several Russian
parishes work successfully in Armenia. The Armenian eparchy exists in
Russia,’ Kirill said.
He expressed hope that a mission of the Russian Orthodox Church `will
start working in Yerevan soon.’
Karekin II thanked Patriarch Kirill for the high award. He noted that
this prize `is another sign of friendly relations between the
brotherly peoples, Churches and states.’ `It is especially important
for me to receive this prize jointly with Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev,’ the Armenian Catholicos said.
President Medvedev met with the spiritual leader of all Armenians and
the Russian patriarch. They met prior to the start of the ceremony, in
which the International Fund of Unity of Orthodox Christinian Nations
awarded its annual prizes for the strengthening of unity of Eastern
Orthodox Christians.
The Fund awarded the prizes for 2009 to President Medvedev and Garegin
II, Serbian moviemaker Emir Kusturica, and the U.S.-based St.
Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.