Vladimir Putin Awarded The Prize Of The Fund Of Orthodox Peoples' Unity For 2001

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been awarded the prize "For outstanding activities in strengthening the unity of Orthodox peoples" for 2001. The International Fund of Orthodox Peoples' Unity, which awards this prize under the chairmanship of Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II, reported this on Wednesday. This year the Fund's prize has also been awarded to Patriarch Paul of Serbia, chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Armen Khachatryan, Lebanese vice-premier Issam Fares and the European Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy, headquartered in Athens. Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II will present the prizes to this year's winners at a solemn ceremony to be held in Moscow on January 21, 2001, in the synod hall of the Christ the Saviour Cathedral.