The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, spoke with Oleg Salagai, the deputy health minister, about recognizing his contributions with the Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh. The Moscow Patriarchate reported that Salagai was awarded this honor to acknowledge his support for church and public initiatives, including his involvement around the milestone of his 40th birthday.
According to the statement, Salagai received the distinction on November 12 during a patriarchal ceremony held at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The event took place on the eve of a church-wide Congress of Social Ministry, underscoring the connection between civil service and church outreach in addressing social needs across the community.
The Order of Sergius of Radonezh was established on December 26, 1978, through a decision made by Patriarch Pimen and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is presented to clergy members for long-standing service and notable contributions to the life and welfare of the church and its faithful.
Earlier in November, reports highlighted the anticipated return of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God to its cathedral on Red Square. The icon, long believed lost for more than a century, was publicly revealed to be back in the city. The church leadership presented the original miraculous image, before which Minin and Pozharsky prayed, marking a moment of restore and reverence for worshippers and visitors alike.
In related remarks, Patriarch Kirill discussed his family history, recalling difficult periods when his father faced exile in Kolyma. These reflections were offered in the context of broader conversations about endurance, faith, and the resilience of the church community during turbulent times (citation: Moscow Patriarchate).