A hierarch of the Jerusalem Patriarchate has been nominated for a high honor from the Russian Church

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has decided to award the Exarch of the Holy Sepulcher in Cyprus, Metropolitan Timotheos of Vostr, the Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, First Class. This high honor is being bestowed upon the hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem in recognition of his many years of service and personal contribution to strengthening relations between the Patriarchates of Jerusalem and Moscow. This was reported by the Orthodoxia News Agency ( ).

Information about the upcoming award was announced in a congratulatory message from Patriarch Kirill, timed to coincide with Metropolitan Timofey’s 75th birthday. In his address, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church warmly recalled the hierarch’s years of study at the Leningrad Theological Academy, where the Patriarch himself served as rector at that time. ““Your kindness, candor, friendliness, and deep devotion to the Church have earned you sincere love and respect,” emphasized Patriarch Kirill, also noting Metropolitan Timofey’s unwavering love for Russia.

It is worth noting that close cooperation between the hierarchs continues: recently, during a visit to Cyprus , Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, celebrated a joint divine service with Metropolitan Timotheos at the Church of St. Nicholas in Limassol. The awarding of the Order of Seraphim of Sarov was the latest in a series of landmark events strengthening ties between the two Churches; earlier in this series, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem was honored by Russian President Vladimir Putin.