High distinctions for state officials of the Republic of Hungary

His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, handed over to Vice President of the Government of the Republic of Hungary Mr. Zsolt Semjén and State Secretary for Religious Affairs, National Minorities and Civil Relationships Mr. Miklos Soltes the high Church distinction – Order of Holy King Milutin at the Serbian Patriarchate on 23 November 2017.

In the decision of the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church it is indicated that at the proposal of His Grace Lukijan, Bishop of Budim, the high distinction of the Serbian Orthodox Church - order of Holy King Milutin is being granted to Mr. Zsolt Semjén and Miklos Soltes for their active love towards the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian people, especially shown by their selfless aid to the Diocese of Budim in Hungary.

The award ceremony at the Patriarchate’s court took place in a quite cordial and friendly atmosphere. Given that His Grace Bishop Lukijan of Budim introduced the members of the delegation of the Republic of Hungary, the guests were welcomed by His Holiness Patriarch, who pointed out that he was extremely pleased that relations of the two neighboring peoples, Serbian and Hungarian, have reached a high level nowadays.

The decision of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church was read by the General Secretary of the Synod protopresbyter-staurophor Savo B. Jovic, PhD – in Serbian, and by Bishop’s Deputy protopresbyter-staurophor Vojislav Galic – in Hungarian.

The ceremony at the Patriarchate’s court in Belgrade was attended by Their Graces Lukijan, Bishops of Temisvar and Administrator of Budim, and Antonije of Moravica, Vicar Bishop of the Serbian Patriarch; Ambassador of the Republic of Hungary to Belgrade Attila Pintér, PhD; Serbian member of the Parliament of Hungary Mr. Ljubomir Aleksov; head of the Office of the Serbian Patriarch deacon Aleksandar Prascevic, PhD; and some Serbian parish priests in Hungary.