Vladimir, the archbishop of the Moldovan Orthodox Church, has been awarded with the Order of Friendship at a Kremlin ceremony officiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Dear President Vladimir Putin, I would like to thank you for the high distinction of the Russian Federation conferred on me for my 45 years of service, I could say international, because I served in Russia and Ukraine and now it’s 30 years since I have been serving in the Republic of Moldova. I will strive to further work with dedication to the glory of the Holy Orthodox Church and the right-believing people” Metropolitan Vladimir said in his award-receiving speech.

Besides Metropolitan Vladimir, Vladimir Putin offered distinctions to various figures of Russian education, health care, sports, cosmonautics, science, arts, industry and agriculture.