Metr. Nektarios Concelebrates with Patr. Kirill in Moscow

MOSCOW — Metr. Nektarios of Corfu concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with Patr. Kirill of Moscow and hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church on Aug. 19, underscoring the significance of common prayer between the visiting Greek delegation and the Moscow Patriarchate.

The hierarch was awarded the Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, Second Class, following the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Transfiguration at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The award recognized his contribution to developing and strengthening relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Church of Greece.

Metr. Nektarios is visiting Russia while leading a delegation from Corfu accompanying the right hand of St. Spyridon of Trimythous for the veneration of the faithful. He thanked Patr. Kirill for the honor and recalled having previously celebrated the Divine Liturgy with him before his election as Patriarch.

In return, Metr. Nektarios presented Patr. Kirill with the Order of the Golden Cross with the Star of St. Spyridon, the highest distinction of the Holy Metropolis of Corfu. The Russian Patriarch particularly emphasized the importance of the Greek delegation's concelebration and common prayer, expressing hope that Orthodox Christians worldwide would remain united in faith, love, and harmony.

Previously, the UOJ reported that restoration work revealed the well-preserved relics of Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy.