Catholicos of All Armenians Awarded the First Degree 'Saint Alexius, Metropolitan of Moscow' Order
19.03.2025
On March 18, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians, was awarded the first-degree 'Saint Alexius, Metropolitan of Moscow' Order. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill I of Moscow and All Rus' presented the award in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Armenian Catholicos' ascension to the throne and in recognition of his significant contribution to developing relations between the two Churches.
On this occasion, a delegation from the Russian Orthodox Church arrived at the Mother See, headed by the chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk.
The ceremony included clergy, members of the Supreme Spiritual Council, Sergey Kopyrkin, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Armenia, and other public and cultural figures. His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisian, President of the Monastic Council of the Mother See, delivered the greeting address.
Then, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate's Department for External Church Relations, read the congratulatory message from the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’.
"In the face of contemporary global challenges, our Churches are united by Christian fellowship, mutual support, and cooperation in defending the eternal ideals of the Gospel. We deeply appreciate your unwavering benevolence toward the Russian Orthodox Church and Russian spiritual heritage," the message read.
After being awarded the Saint Alexius, Metropolitan of Moscow Order, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians, addressed the attendees with a word of blessing.
The Armenian Patriarch emphasized that he is deeply touched by the attention and warm regard of his spiritual brother, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’. This gesture reflects the centuries-old relations and close ties between the two Churches, their long-standing fraternal interactions, and the significant contributions of the Armenian community to the political, social, and cultural life of the Russian Federation.
His Holiness also affirmed that the foundation of these bonds lies in the historical connections between the two peoples of faith and the brotherhood forged over centuries. These connections must continue to be strengthened and reinforced through the joint efforts of both Churches.
"The world is shaken by complex geopolitical developments, as are the lives of our countries and peoples. In recent years, our people have endured severe trials and losses. The consequences of the war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh remain unresolved. We are grateful to His Holiness and the Russian Church for the support they extended to the Armenian people during the tragic days of war and for their prayers.
We are also thankful for the continuous work at Dadivank and Patriarch Kirill's efforts to ensure the safety of our clergy.
We are confident that the Russian Church and the Russian Federation will continue taking all possible measures to preserve the Armenian spiritual heritage of Artsakh, ensuring the return of the Armenians of Artsakh to their ancestral homeland and working toward the release of the political and military leaders, as well as civilians of Artsakh who are currently being subjected to a fabricated trial and injustice in Baku," said the Supreme Patriarch.
His Holiness added that Patriarch Kirill has also been anguished and concerned during these challenging times. The Orthodox Church faces serious problems due to the conflict between the brotherly peoples of Russia and Ukraine, sharing deep historical ties, and involving the faithful from both nations.
The Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians raised a prayer for the health, fruitful reign, and prosperity of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and for the glory of the Russian Orthodox Church.
His Holiness also prayed that the Almighty empower the two peoples, keeping them firm in their faith and hopeful for the future, and granting them peace, security, and prosperity.
The solemn ceremony concluded with the performance of the hymn ‘The Descent of the Only-Begotten Son from the Father’ and the Protective Prayer by the Supreme Patriarch.
