On November 2, 2024, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk presented His Holiness Catholicos Basil Mar Thomas Matthew III with the Order of Glory and Honor (First Class).
The Primate of the Malankara Orthodox Syriac Church was honored with this award in consideration of his contribution to the development of friendly relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Malankara Church and in connection with his 75th birthday.
The awarding ceremony took place at the end of the divine service, which His Holiness Catholicos Basil Mar Thoma Matthew III celebrated at the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Parumala, Kerala, on the day of commemoration of the widely revered Saint Gregory of Parumala.
The ceremony was held at the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Parumala, Kerala.
Giving the order and greeting the awardee on behalf of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk noted the special closeness of His Holiness Catholicos Basil Mar Thomas Matthew III to the Russian Orthodox Church, formed back in the 1970s, when the future Primate of the Malankara Catholic Church, St. Gregory of Parumala, was the first to receive the order. His Holiness was trained at the Leningrad Theological Academy. As Vladyka Anthony emphasized, leading today the most ancient Church of India, founded by St. Thomas the Apostle, His Holiness has worked hard to strengthen inter-church ties, speaks in defense of persecuted Christians, including repeatedly expressing support for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
The Primate of the Malankara Church has asked to convey to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill his heartfelt gratitude for the high award and attention rendered. His Holiness warmly recalled his visit to Russia in September 2023 and noted the great potential for further strengthening of friendly and trusting relations between the two Churches.
The ceremony was also attended by the Primate of the Malabar Syrian Church of St. Thomas Theodosius Mar Thomas XXII, hierarchs, clergy and faithful of the Malankara Church.
EVCS Communication Service/Patriarchy.ru
