Indian Catholicos Receives Russia’s Highest Civilian Honor
New Delhi: In a solemn ceremony held at the Russian Embassy in India, Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, conferred with the prestigious Order of Friendship by the Russian government.
The honor recognizes the Catholicos’s tireless efforts in promoting dialogue and cooperation between the Russian and Malankara Syrian Orthodox Churches, as well as his humanitarian and philanthropic endeavors.
Ambassador of Russia to India, Denis Alipov, praised the Catholicos’s contributions, saying, “His efforts to promote dialogue and cooperation between our two churches are truly commendable. His humanitarian and philanthropic work has also made a significant impact.”
The ceremony was attended by ambassadors from Belarus, Uzbekistan, Egypt, and Mongolia, as well as representatives from the diplomatic corps, local business leaders, social and religious organizations, and the cultural community.
Dr. Youhanon Mar Demetrios, Metropolitan of Delhi Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, addressed the audience, highlighting the significance of the Catholicos’s contributions to promoting interfaith dialogue and cooperation.
The evening’s festivities concluded with a performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria by the Delhi Chamber Choir.
The Order of Friendship is a prestigious honor conferred by the Russian government to recognize outstanding contributions to promoting friendship and cooperation between Russia and other countries.
