“CONNECTED BY HISTORY AND FAITH”: Vučić in Moscow presented Patriarch Kirill with the Order of the Republic of Serbia First Class! (VIDEO)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić today in Moscow presented Patriarch Kirill with the Order of the Republic of Serbia First Class on a grand collar for outstanding merits in developing and strengthening friendly relations and cooperation. Vučić awarded Patriarch Kirill for outstanding merits in developing friendly relations and cooperation between Serbia and the Orthodox Patriarchate of Moscow and All Russia.

“I had the honor to personally present the order to Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church for everything he has done not only for the unity of our peoples, community, unity of our churches, but also for the support he provided to our country in difficult moments. I am sincerely proud of that cooperation and the love and close relations that exist between our churches and our peoples. I had the great honor to learn a lot from Patriarch Kirill, to hear a lot about the difficult position of the Russian Orthodox Church, especially in other countries in the close vicinity of the Russian Federation, but also to hear kind words about cooperation with the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian state. I convey the greetings of His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije to Patriarch Kirill. For me personally, it is a great honor to present the Order of the First Class of the Republic of Serbia to Patriarch Kirill, and this is another important thing in the further development of Serbian-Russian relations,” Vučić said in his address from Moscow.

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He stated that these values are the foundation of the relations between Serbia and Russia and a guarantee of preserving us as nations, as Orthodox peoples in the future.

“You are prayed for in our Serbian temples in Kosovo, in Belgrade, in the beautiful Saint Sava Temple that shines in all its beauty thanks to the invaluable assistance of Russia,” Vučić said.

Vučić also stated that he is honored to have visited the Danilov Monastery – the spiritual and administrative center of the Russian Orthodox Church – accompanied by Patriarch Kirill.

“The monastery is a living witness and treasury of the difficult history of the Russian people. In the most difficult times, it was a refuge for the exiled and hopeless, a light in the darkness and a source of spiritual strength that gave strength to fight against great challenges and temptations,” Vučić wrote on his Instagram profile.

He emphasized that the monastery is a magnificent building and that today it evokes admiration and reminds us never to forget the common spiritual roots of the Serbian and Russian people and the message of hope that connects us forever.

Later in the day, President Vučić will have a meeting with the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, after which he will attend a gala dinner at the Kremlin, hosted by the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, in honor of the heads of delegations.

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Patriarch Kirill: When it comes to Serbian-Russian relations, they are understood through the heart

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia thanked President Aleksandar Vučić today for the Order of the Republic of Serbia First Class on a grand collar, which he presented to him today, stating that every award evokes positive emotions, and that when it is received in the context of the relations between the two countries, peoples, and churches, then it represents more than a “mere award.”

Patriarch Kirill stated that the Serbian and Russian peoples are connected by their history, common struggle, and one faith.

“We have never fought among ourselves, we have never betrayed each other. This is a unique case when it comes to the entire European context. And today, both Serbia and Russia, despite being geographically divided and having no common borders, preserve their spiritual and cultural unity,” Kirill said.

Stating that some things can be understood intellectually, Patriarch Kirill stated that when it comes to Serbian-Russian relations, they are understood through the heart.

“Here, the heart speaks of the fact that these are truly brotherly peoples, brotherly churches, that this is truly the only thing proven throughout history. In that sense, I think this is a unique case. At least, in Russia’s relations with other countries,” said the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

He thanked the president, but also the Serbian people for their good attitude towards Russians, for their love and support.