MOSCOW: 17 September 2024
Archpriest Michael Protopopoff awarded a lofty ecclesiastical honor

On September 17, 2024, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia received Archpriest Michael Protopopov, Chancellor of the Diocese of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Rector of the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Dandenong, Australia, at the Patriarchal residence in Chisty Lane in Moscow.

Taking part in the meeting was His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations.

In recognition of his labors for the good of the Holy Church and in connection with his 80th birthday, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church presented Archpriest Michael Protopopov with the Order of St Sergius of Radonezh, First Degree.

In the course of the talk, His Holiness shared his memories of previous meetings with Fr Michael, in particular, of their contact in Australia many years ago. Patriarch Kirill also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Fr Michael for his active participation in one of the most important events in the modern history of the Russian Orthodox Church – the reestablishment of unity between its two once separate parts in 2007, when the Act of Canonical Communion was signed.

Patriarchia.ru