World · Europe · 7 hrs ago
Putin meets Jerusalem and Moscow patriarchs, awards Order of Friendship
Vladimir Putin met Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos III and Moscow Patriarch Kirill in Moscow.
Putin presented Theophilos with Russia’s Order of Friendship for his contribution to friendship, cooperation and spiritual ties with Russia.
Putin said Russia has traditionally paid special attention to Christians in the Middle East.
He told Theophilos that the Jerusalem Orthodox Church was operating smoothly with support from local authorities.
Putin said Russia would do what it could to develop relations with the church.
Theophilos arrived in Moscow on November 4 at Kirill’s invitation, and the two patriarchs had met separately before Putin’s meeting with them.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia on November 5.
Putin presented Theophilos III with the Order of Friendship.
Putin said Russia pays special attention to Christians in the Middle East and would work to develop relations.
Theophilos III arrived in Moscow on November 4 at Kirill’s invitation.
Before meeting Putin, Theophilos III and Kirill held a separate meeting.
- Who
- Vladimir Putin met Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
- What
- Putin met the two patriarchs and presented Theophilos III with the Order of Friendship.
- When
- November 5, 2026.
- Where
- Moscow.
- Why
- The sources do not state the meeting’s purpose. Putin said the award recognized Theophilos III’s contribution to friendship, cooperation and spiritual ties with Russia.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Theophilos III arrived in Moscow at Kirill’s invitation.
Theophilos III and Kirill held a separate meeting.
Putin met Theophilos III and Kirill and presented Theophilos III with the Order of Friendship.
- Award recipient
- Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem
- Award
- Order of Friendship
- Meeting date
- November 5, 2026
- Arrival date
- November 4, 2026
- Other participant
- Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia
3 sources
What people are saying
Russia has traditionally paid special attention to the situation with Christians, the Christian population in the Middle East region
For our part, we will do everything to develop relations
It is a great honor for me to present you with this order