Patr. Kirill Presents Order to Muslim Chechen Leader

MOSCOW — Patr. Kirill of Moscow presented Ramzan Kadyrov, a practicing Sufi Muslim and head of the Chechen Republic, with the Order of Glory and Honor, 1st Degree, while congratulating him on his 50th birthday on October 5. The award is one of the Russian Orthodox Church’s highest honors.

In his message, Patr. Kirill described Kadyrov as a “strong-willed, purposeful, and responsible leader” who has cared for Chechnya and its residents. He also credited the republic with progress in socioeconomic development, security, interreligious peace, and civil harmony.

Patr. Kirill specifically praised relations between Chechen authorities and the Grozny Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. The award comes despite Kadyrov being a practicing Muslim and the overwhelmingly Muslim population of Chechnya. Kadyrov has publicly participated in Muslim prayers and religious events and has promoted Islamic institutions in the republic.

Kadyrov was also inaugurated on October 5 for another term as head of Chechnya. The ceremony was held on his birthday for the third consecutive time, following similar inaugurations in 2016 and 2021. The date also coincides with Grozny City Day.

The presentation of the Orthodox Church award came amid extensive criticism of Kadyrov's human-rights record. In July 2020, then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Kadyrov's public designation under Section 7031(c), citing what the State Department described as his involvement in “gross violations of human rights” in Chechnya, including torture and extrajudicial killings.

The State Department had previously imposed sanctions on Kadyrov under the Global Magnitsky Act. U.S. officials said Kadyrov and forces under his command, known as the Kadyrovtsy, had been implicated in serious abuses, including kidnappings, torture, extrajudicial killings, and abuses against members of the population in Chechnya.

Human-rights organizations have likewise documented allegations against Kadyrov's government. In a 2018 open letter, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Front Line Defenders accused Chechen authorities of unlawful detention, torture, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and collective punishment, while criticizing threats made against human-rights defenders.

The ceremony also followed other public recognition of Kadyrov in Russia. Two days before his birthday, President Vladimir Putin awarded him the rank of army general, while National Guard Director Viktor Zolotov presented him with new insignia and a maroon beret. Russian state television also aired programs marking Kadyrov's 50th birthday.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the Georgian Church raised Abkhazia and Tskhinvali issues with a Moscow delegation.