Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, who participated in the 2nd Summit of World Religious Leaders in Baku, dedicated the Holy Myrrhbearers Cathedral in the capital of Azerbaijan after large-scale restoration work there.
The meeting with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church was attended not only by Azerbaijani Christians, but also by government officials, diplomats, cultural figures, including First Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Yagub Eyyubov, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbul oglu, Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mikhail Bocharnikov, First Deputy Director General of TASS News Agency Mikhail Gusman and other officials.
Archbishop Alexander of Baku and Azerbaijan, addressing Patriarch Kirill, recalled that back in 2010 the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia took part in the consecration of this church.
It was followed by the award ceremony. First Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Yagub Eyyubov and head of the Russian community of Azerbaijan Mikhail Zabelin were awarded the 2nd degree Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh. Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mikhail Bocharnikov was awarded the Patriarchal Diploma. Choirmaster of Azerbaijan State Theatre of Musical Comedy Vagif Mastanov was awarded the 3rd degree Order of Holy Prince Daniel of Moscow, Director of the Russian Cultural Center Galina Manafova and the head of the Archangel Michael Choir Christina Efendiyeva were awarded the order of St. Euphrosyne, Grand Duchess of Moscow.
Then Patriarch Kirill presented the icon of Apostle Bartholomew, who is considered the patron saint of Baku, to the Holy Myrrhbearers Cathedral.
