An Order of St Sava formally handed to President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev

With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Pavle of Serbia and by the decision of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Othodox Church, an Order of St Sava of the First Class was handed to Dmitry Medvedev, the President of the Russian Federation at the special audience which was held today on October 20, 2009 at the premises of the Serbian Patriarchate in Belgrade.

In the presence of Bishops: Irinej of Nish, Vasilije of Zvornik and Tuzla, Vasilije of Srem, Hrizostom of Zhicha, Irinej of Bachka, Pahomije of Vranje, Jovan of Shumadija, Fotije of Dalmatia, Grigorije of Zahumlje and Herzegovina, Maksim of Wester America, retired Atanasije of Zahumlje and Herzegovina, vicar bishops: Atanasije of Hvosno, Porfirije of Jegar, Teodosije of Lipljan, Antonije of Moravica, protopresbyter-staurophor Vitaly Tarasjev, head of the Podvorye of the Moscow Patriarchate in Serbia, protopresbyter-staurophor Sava B. Jovic, protopresbyter Dr. Luka Novakovic, HRH Aleksandar and Katarina Karadjordjevic, ministers Vuk Jeremic and Dr. Bogoljub Shijakovic, state secretary Dragan Churovic, academician Matija Beckovic, director Emir-Nemanja Kusturica, Mr Dejan Bodiroga, His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral awarded the President of the Russian Federation with the highest distinction of the Serbian Orthodox Church and gave a speech.

Dmitry Medvedev said after the nice speech of Metropolitan that he is especially happy for being awarded with the highest distinction of the Serbian Orthodox Church and evaluated that the relations of two brotherly nations are strong, expressing the firm support to Serbia in regard to Kosovo and Metohija. The President informed Metropolitan and present bishops about his speech in the Assembly of Serbia to representatives about ”altering the history because of the personal and political interests."

His Grace Bishop Irinej read the decision of the Holy Synod of Bishops, and then Metropolitan Amfilohije formally handed the order.

The highest distinction of the Serbian Orthodox Church was assigned to President Medvedev for his contribution to the unity of the Ecumenical Orthodoxy and showed love towards the orthodox Serbian people.