His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia awards special representative of the Coptic Patriarchate Dr. Anton Milad

On September 3, 2021, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia received in audience Dr. Anton Milad, special representative of the Coptic Patriarchate, at the Patriarchal and Synodal Residence in St. Daniel Monastery in Moscow.

Participating in the meetings was Hieromonk Stephen (Igumnov), secretary for inter-Christian relations of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations.

Dr. Milad came to Russia on August 23 as a member of the pilgrim delegation of abbots and monks of the Coptic Church’s monasteries.

In acknowledgement of his contribution to the development of dialogue between the Coptic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church and in connection with his 70th birthday, Dr. Milad was awarded the Order of Glory and Honour (Degree II).

The award ceremony took place at the Patriarchal Residence’s Chapel of All Saints Who Shone Forth in the Russian Land.

Presenting Dr. Milad with the award, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill warmly thanked him for his considerable contribution to the development of dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Coptic Church. “The Coptic Church is very close to us in spirit and ascetical traditions; we consider it a friend and ally of the Russian Church because we advocate shared principles and beliefs on the level of international Christian organizations”, His Holiness underlined.

His Holiness made a special mention of the stand taken by the Coptic Patriarchate by supporting the efforts of the Russian Orthodox Church to overcome the church schism in Ukraine and the ensuing crises in the world Orthodoxy.

Dr. Milad thanked His Holiness for the high award and conveyed to him words of gratitude from Patriarch Tawadros for the aid given to the Christian community in Egypt and for the chance offered to Coptic monks to familiarize themselves with spiritual traditions of Russian Orthodoxy.

“The Coptic Church occupies a very weighty place in Egypt’s social life while playing an important role on the international level as well. We have always been aware of you as our allies and friends and God grant that this unanimity may be strengthened further for the good of our Churches and peoples”, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill concluded.

Press service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia
DECR Communication Service

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His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia awards special representative of the Coptic Patriarchate Dr. Anton Milad

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