American Pastor Mark Burns Awarded the Order of Merit

On August 24, 2025, during celebrations at Sofia Square for Independence Day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky awarded the Order of Merit, III degree, to American pastor Mark Burns. A video of the award ceremony was published on the President’s Office channel.

It is recalled that Pastor Mark Burns stated that the UOC is allegedly used by the Kremlin to justify aggression and support the invasion of Ukraine, while Ukraine defends religious freedom. He accused Vladimir Putin of having the audacity to demand protection of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine during the peace talks in Alaska.