Metropolitan of the Church of Greece Awarded an Order by the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow

Celebrations marking the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord took place at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, presided over by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. During the event, Metropolitan Nektarios of Corfu, Paxos, and the Diapontia Islands was awarded a high ecclesiastical honor—the Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, Second Class. This was reported by the news portal Romfea.gr.

This distinction was presented to His Eminence Nektarios in recognition of his significant contribution to strengthening friendly ties between the Russian and Greek Orthodox Churches. In his acceptance speech, the metropolitan expressed his deep gratitude to Patriarch Kirill, noting that it was a great honor for him to share in the joy of this great feast and to participate in a joint divine service with the Primate of the Russian Church.

Metropolitan Nektarios shared warm memories of his long-standing acquaintance with the Patriarch, dating back to the period when His Eminence Kirill headed the Department for External Church Relations. He drew a parallel between the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church and the late Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens, emphasizing that both hierarchs, during difficult times, managed to “faithfully teach the word of truth,” drawing young people to the faith and revitalizing church life.

At the conclusion of the meeting, as a sign of mutual respect and gratitude, the Metropolitan of Corfu presented Patriarch Kirill with his diocese’s highest honor—the Order of the Golden Cross of Saint Spyridon of Trimythous. Metropolitan Nektarios also asked the head of the Russian Orthodox Church to bless the faithful with a fragment of the relics of Saint Spyridon, whose hand once defended the Orthodox truth at the First Ecumenical Council.