Institute of Theology

From January 20 to 25, 2003, His Beatitude IGNATIUS IV, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch  made an official visit to the Russian Orthodox Church and received the Unity of the Orthodox Peoples Award for "outstanding activities aimed at strengthening the unity of Orthodox nations" for the year 2002.

The Patriarchal Delegation

The Patriarchal Delegation included His Eminence Metropolitan Damaskinos of Brazil, Their Graces: Bishop John of Pyrgou (Dean of Balamand Seminary), Bishop Luke of Saydnaya, Bishop Moses of Daraya (Auxiliary Bishops of the Patriarch), Dr. Elie Salem (President of the University of Balamand), Dr. Youssef Hazim, Mr. Adnan Takla, and Mr. Samer Laham. The delegation resided at St. Daniel's Monastery Residence in Moscow.

At Moscow's International Airport the Antiochian Patriarchal Delegation was  warmly welcomed  by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia. Several Russian Bishops, officials, and the Ambassadors of Lebanon and Syria in Moscow also welcomed His Beatitude. "It is always a joy for me to meet Russian people and members of the Russian Orthodox Church," Ignatius IV said. "We have long-standing friendly relations," he said. Patriarch Ignatius added: "When we meet, we pray together for peace to all people on earth," Ignatius IV said. "This is crucial for our region, where we constantly hear of violence." "We are against the war in Palestine, against unleashing a war in Iraq," the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East said.

On the first day of the visit, His Beatitude received the "Unity of the Orthodox Peoples Award." The award is annually given to prominent political and public figures and organizations, to culture figures, heads of states, cabinets, and parliaments. In 2002 this prize was awarded, in addition to Patriarch Ignatius, to Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov and the Orthodox Academy of Crete.

Also, in the occasion of the visit, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy honored the Patriarch of Antioch by awarding him the "St. Andrew the First Called Order of Merit," the highest medal of the Russian Orthodox Church. His Holiness praised "His Beatitude's contribution to the effort to strengthen the Orthodox unity and traditional links between two Orthodox Churches."

On Wednesday, January 22, the Russian President Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with Patriarch Alexy II and Patriarch Ignatius IV in the Kremlin. During the meeting, Putin said the Russian Orthodox Church's contacts aimed at strengthening Orthodoxy are a source of support for Russia's foreign policy.  "I am very happy that the leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church enters the new year amid such pleasant events. This gives support for Russia's foreign policy," the president said.

President Putin congratulated Patriarch Ignatius on his receiving the Unity of the Orthodox Peoples Award. He praised the patriarch's huge contribution to the development of relations not only between the churches, but between peoples, as well.

Putin said this award "recognizes not only what [the patriarch] has done for Orthodox believers, but also his contribution to creating friendly relations between these peoples." Ignatius expressed his gratitude to Putin for the meeting. He noted that "the world's trust in Orthodoxy is influenced by Russia's attitude to it."

"The Russian people and the Russian church have gone through many hardships," the patriarch said, stressing that the Russian Church "is on the right path."

Alexy II stressed that many things changed since the last visit of Patriarch Ignatius to Russia: "The Soviet Union ceased to exist, the role of the church has changed. He [Ignatius IV] was greatly impressed," he said. Alexy II called the Divine Liturgy service he conducted with Ignatius in the Kremlin a landmark event. This was the first time since 300 years that the Patriarch of Antioch celebrates in the Kremlin Cathedral of the Dormition. 

Putin noted that the Moscow Kremlin has a long history, adding that "it is not only the center of secular power, but also Russia's spiritual center."

Patriarch Ignatius thanked President Putin for the Kremlin reception, and pointed out a hearty welcome he was receiving in Russia.

Before his departure to Syria, Patriarch Ignatius also visited the city of  Zagorsk, the Great Lavra of St. Sergius and the Theological Academy, where he met with more than six hundred seminarians. The Patriarch had an open discussion with the students. He emphasized the role of youth in building the Church and the Orthodox Faith, and spoke about the witness of the Antiochian Orthodox Church in the Middle East where several faiths and races coexist together.

On the eve of their departure, Bishop Niphon, Antiochian Permanent Representative in Moscow, held a dinner in the honor of Patriarch  Alexy. The dinner was attended by the Patriarchal delegation and a large number of Ambassadors and Russian Church and State Officials.

The Patriarch of Antioch departed to Damascus on January 25th. In Moscow's International Airport, the farewell was moving. Hymns and chants sung to the glory of God were led by Russian choirs and scores of Bishops and priests from the Russian Orthodox Church, all led by His Holiness Alexy, Patriarch of Holy Russia.

A group picture with Patriarch Alexy:
Patriarch Ignatius, President of Bulgaria, President of the Orthodox Academy of Crete and two Russian Officials who received this year  the "Unity of the Orthodox Peoples Award"

 Press Conference at the Theological Academy in Zagorsk

His Beatitude Receiving the "St. Andrew the First Called Order of Merit," the highest medal of the Russian Orthodox Church.
 

At the Award Ceremony

Celebrating Divine Liturgy in the Kremlin Cathedral of the Dormition

Russian President  Putin
Welcomes the Patriarchs

The Meeting
 with Russian President  Putin

 Visiting the Russian Art Exhibition