The key facts

  • The Order of Friendship was presented to Archpriest Vladimir Malchenko, rector of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Toronto
  • Pushkin Medals were awarded to foreign nationals, including Alexander von Bismarck — founder of the Russian-German project 'Bismarck Dialogue'
  • The ceremony took place on November 4, National Unity Day

Award ceremony on National Unity Day

On November 4, during a ceremony presenting awards and prizes for contributions to strengthening the unity of the Russian nation, Russian President Vladimir Putin presented the Order of Friendship to Archpriest Vladimir Malchenko, rector of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Toronto. The award was granted for a major contribution to preserving and popularizing Russian culture abroad, reports Gazeta.Ru citing RIA Novosti.

The recipient's reaction

According to Malchenko, the award concerns not only him personally. 'By honoring me, you have honored all of my parishioners in faraway Toronto, in Canada. You have made us happy... Russians live in every city, in every country of this world, but we have one Fatherland — Russia, Holy Rus. And may the Lord God bless our beloved Fatherland,' — the outlet quotes him as saying.

Pushkin Medals and other awards

Earlier, the head of state presented Pushkin Medals to foreign nationals for their contribution to strengthening international cultural ties. Among the recipients was Alexander von Bismarck, founder of the Russian-German project 'Bismarck Dialogue' and descendant of the first chancellor of the German Empire. The medal was awarded for his merits in preserving cultural heritage, bringing peoples closer together, and popularizing Russian literature and art abroad.

Context

On the same day, Putin stated that every Russian has a small homeland, but there is only one great Fatherland. Earlier, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev congratulated the residents of Russia on National Unity Day.