First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva is presented the Saint Princess Olga Order in Moscow

On December 26, a ceremony of presenting the Saint Princess Olga Order of 2^nd degree to Azerbaijan’s First Vice-president, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva took place in the Christ the Saviour Temple in Moscow.

First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva was honoured with this order by Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus` Kirill for the support provided to the Orthodox Church, and the care shown towards improving the city of Astrakhan.

First, Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus` Kirill read the decree on conferring First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva on the Saint Princess Olga Order of 2^nd degree.

Then, Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus` Kirill presented the Saint Princess Olga Order of 2^nd degree to First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva.

Patriarch Kirill addressed the ceremony:

- I would like to express my profound gratitude to You for the works you have done. You have played a very significant role in the life of your people. As a person with great talent and beautiful moral qualities, You have also done a great deal of works far from your Homeland. Today, You were presented an award for the support provided to the Russian Orthodox Church and your special participation in the life of Astrakhan city. I was informed of a number of works while on a trip to Astrakhan. But they talked mostly about You and the works you have done for the city. This is why I took a decision to honour You with the Saint Princess Olga Order of the Orthodox Church while in Astrakhan. Princess Olga was a granddaughter of Prince Vladimir, who had converted Russia to Christianity and played a decisive role in the building of the Russian state.

Thanking You, I want to ask Lord to help You in your activities, grant sound health to You and your spouse, successes in your political and professional activities, and prosperity to the whole people of Azerbaijan. I am very much delighted to have the opportunity to meet You, express my gratitude and present this high award.

First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva addressed the ceremony.

Patriarch Kirill: Thank you very much. Thank you for these words full of sincere and very correct, useful and valuable information.

First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva: Thank you.

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Then, Azerbaijan’s First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva and Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva familiarized themselves with the Christ the Saviour Temple. This temple is the main temple of the Russian Orthodox Church. Constructed in the 19^th century, the temple was restored in the 90s of the last century. At present time, events significant for Russia in terms of religion are held in the temple.

Women with great services before the church, state, and in various spheres of the public life are awarded the Saint Princess Olga Order, instituted in 1988 to celebrate the 1000^th anniversary of adopting Christianity in Russia.