Order of Saint Sergius of Radonezh is an award of the Russian Orthodox Church. The title was established in 1978 and has three degrees. They are awarded to representatives of all religions for church and peacemaking merits, as well as for fruitful work in the state and public field.
The medal is a four-pointed cross with an oval insert with the image of the Saint Sergius of Radonezh in the centre. The motto of the award — “Exalted by humility” — is applied to the reverse side.
In 2005, the first President of the Republic of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev received the Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh of 1st Degree. At that time, the region celebrated the 1000th anniversary of Kazan and the 450th anniversary of the Kazan diocese — these events served as a reason for the visit of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Russia. Upon arrival, he made a short statement to the press about the importance of this year for the republic.
The representative of the Orthodox Church met with the Head of the Republic Shaimiev, the Mayor of Kazan Kamil Iskhakov and the Supreme Mufti of Tatarstan. Together they visited the restored ancient Annunciation Cathedral of the Kazan Kremlin, the Kul-Sharif Mosque and the Kazan Kremlin. Patriarch Alexy and the President of Tatarstan discussed topics related to public life and interreligious relations in the region.
During the visit, the Patriarch handed over to the Kazan diocese the venerated copy of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, and also thanked Shaimiev “for his attention to the church revival in the land of Tatarstan” and presented him with the Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh, of 1st Degree. In response, the President of Tatarstan said that today “we are witnessing a truly historic event — after 70 years of religious oblivion, Tatarstan is turning into a centre of high spirituality”. Also, the Head of the Region noted that the transfer of the icon is “a symbol of trust in Tatarstan as a republic of interethnic and interfaith harmony”.
After the ceremony, His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy and President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev held a press conference.
The medal is a four-pointed cross with an oval insert with the image of the Saint Sergius of Radonezh in the centre. The motto of the award — “Exalted by humility” — is applied to the reverse side.
In 2005, the first President of the Republic of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev received the Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh of 1st Degree. At that time, the region celebrated the 1000th anniversary of Kazan and the 450th anniversary of the Kazan diocese — these events served as a reason for the visit of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Russia. Upon arrival, he made a short statement to the press about the importance of this year for the republic.
The representative of the Orthodox Church met with the Head of the Republic Shaimiev, the Mayor of Kazan Kamil Iskhakov and the Supreme Mufti of Tatarstan. Together they visited the restored ancient Annunciation Cathedral of the Kazan Kremlin, the Kul-Sharif Mosque and the Kazan Kremlin. Patriarch Alexy and the President of Tatarstan discussed topics related to public life and interreligious relations in the region.
During the visit, the Patriarch handed over to the Kazan diocese the venerated copy of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, and also thanked Shaimiev “for his attention to the church revival in the land of Tatarstan” and presented him with the Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh, of 1st Degree. In response, the President of Tatarstan said that today “we are witnessing a truly historic event — after 70 years of religious oblivion, Tatarstan is turning into a centre of high spirituality”. Also, the Head of the Region noted that the transfer of the icon is “a symbol of trust in Tatarstan as a republic of interethnic and interfaith harmony”.
After the ceremony, His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy and President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev held a press conference.
