Russian President presented Pushkin Medal to Abbess of Grodno

Belarusian clergy members were awarded the Russian Pushkin Medal during a solemn ceremony, held on November 4th at the Kremlin in celebration of National Unity Day, BelTA reports

According to the information published on the Russian President’s website, among the awardees is Abbess Gavriila (Maria Glukhova), who heads the Holy Nativity of the Mother of God Stavropol Convent in Grodno. Andrei Lemeshonok, the Archpriest of the St. Elizabeth Convent of the Minsk Diocese, was also honoured with the Pushkin Medal.

The Pushkin Medal was established in Russia on May 9th, 1999. It is granted for achievements in the sphere of culture and arts. The medal can also be awarded to foreigners who have significantly contributed to the development and reinforcement of cultural connections with Russia, as well as for their support of Russian culture and arts.

During the ceremony, various other awards have been also presented to leaders of Russia’s major religious denominations, Russian President’s Special Representative for International Cultural Co-operation Mikhail Shvydkoi, the widow of writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Natalya, and others.