MOSCOW: June 6, 2012
Konstantin Malofeev is Awarded the Medal of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God

On Friday, May 18, 2012, Konstantin Valerievich Malofeev, President of the Benevolent Council of the Fund of St Basil the Great and Zurab Mikhailovich Chavchavadze, its General Director, met with a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, headed by its Primate, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York. The delegation was in Moscow to participate in the celebration of the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Act of Canonical Communion between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian Church Abroad, which reestablished canonical unity within the Russian Orthodox Church.

During the meeting, Metropolitan Hilarion, on behalf of the Synod of Bishops of ROCOR, awarded Mr Malofeev the Medal of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God of the Second Order, for his generous support of the Russian Church Abroad and especially its Office of Inter-Orthodox Affairs, headed by Protopriest Alexander Lebedeff.

The dinner meeting was held in a warm and brotherly atmosphere. During the meal, Mr Malofeev expressed gratitude towards the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany and His Eminence Archbishop Michael of Geneva and Western Europe for the honor. He said that he always had a special reverence for the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God “of the Sign,” which is the Hodigitria, or Protectress, of the Russian diaspora.

During their discussion, Mr Malofeev told the delegation about the accomplishment of the Fund of Basil the Great, and shared his thoughts about the dearth of philanthropic work in Russia today. He also talked about his work in founding the League for a Safe Internet and its accomplishments in protecting children from exploitation through the anonymity of the internet.

The members of the delegation were very pleased with their meeting with Konstantin Valerievich and Zurab Mikhailovich, and wished them Divine help in continuing their labors to benefit the Holy Church and the young generation.