Patriarch of Moscow and Metropolitan of Corfu exchange honors – Nektarios compares Kirill to Archbishop Christodoulos

Metropolitan Nektarios of Corfu, Paxos and the Diapontian Islands was awarded the Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, Second Class, by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow in recognition of his contribution to strengthening relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Church of Greece.

The award was presented on August 19, 2026, following the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.

Metropolitan Nektarios concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with Patriarch Kirill and hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The Metropolitan of Corfu is currently in Russia at the head of a delegation from his Metropolis, accompanying the right hand of St. Spyridon of Trimythous, which was brought from Corfu for the veneration of the faithful.

During the award ceremony, particular reference was made to Metropolitan Nektarios’ contribution to developing and strengthening friendly relations between the two Churches.

It should be noted that the  Moscow Patriarchate severed communion with the Church of Greece  in response to the latter’s  recognition of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine  on October 12, 2019.…