Metr. Anthony Presents Church Award to Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov

MOSCOW — Metr. Anthony of Volokolamsk, chairman of the the Moscow Patriarchate's Department for External Church Relations (DECR), met on July 1 with Yury Ushakov, aide to the president of the Russian Federation, during a meeting that included the presentation of a church award and discussions on international affairs.

During the meeting, Metr. Anthony presented Ushakov with the Order of the Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky, Second Class, an award bestowed by Patr. Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. According to the DECR Communications Service, the award recognized Ushakov's contribution to the development of relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian state.

The presentation ceremony was followed by a private discussion between the two men. The conversation focused on current international issues, although no further details regarding the topics discussed were released.

Metr. Anthony has headed the Moscow Patriarchate's Department for External Church Relations since 2022. The department serves as the primary body responsible for the Russian Orthodox Church's relations with other churches, religious organizations, governments, and international institutions.

The meeting underscored the continued interaction between the Russian Orthodox Church and state authorities on matters of mutual concern, including ecclesiastical diplomacy and international affairs.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the Assembly of Bishops opened nominations for the 2026 Saint Theodora Award.