Russiaupdated 31m ago2 min read
Archive photo · 23 February 2026Putin Meets Patriarch Theophilos III, Awards Order of Friendship for Moscow Ties
3 Other3 West AsianPhoto: Kremlin.ru, CC BY 4.0 · Cropped for layout
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Putin awarded Theophilos III the Order of Friendship at the Kremlin. They discussed peace efforts and safeguarding the indigenous Christian presence in the Holy Land.
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Order of Friendship at Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin met at the Kremlin with His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, and Putin said Moscow values Theophilos III’s willingness to maintain and develop relations with the Russian Orthodox Church. Putin presented Theophilos III with the Order of Friendship in recognition of his contribution to strengthening friendship, cooperation and spiritual ties with Russia during the Patriarch’s official visit to Moscow that began Wednesday at the invitation of Patriarch Kirill.
The Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem said the meeting discussed peace efforts and the indigenous Christian presence in the Holy Land, and it described the talks as addressing challenges in inter-Orthodox relations and the situation facing Christians in the Middle East. The Orthodox Times said Theophilos III concluded a three-day visit to Moscow on Friday, November 6, after meetings that included President Vladimir Putin and Patriarch Kirill, and it said the Patriarch departed from Vnukovo-3 Airport.
Status Quo and peace talks
Theophilos III thanked Putin for supporting the historic Status Quo arrangements governing Jerusalem’s holy sites, and the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem said the Patriarch stressed the importance of Moscow’s support for maintaining the historical and legal status quo in occupied Jerusalem.
Putin reaffirmed support for the Patriarchate’s work to help indigenous Christian communities remain in the Holy Land and protect their sacred places, and the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem said the Russian president reaffirmed commitment to assist the Patriarchate in efforts to cement Christian presence and protect holy sites.
Theophilos III discussed ways to encourage dialogue and contribute to laying a solid groundwork for dialogue and reconciliation among the conflicting parties, and the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem said the discussions addressed efforts toward de-escalation and ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.
The Patriarchate of Jerusalem said Theophilos discussed ways to contribute to facilitating dialogue continuing efforts he had already discussed with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in June.
Inter-Orthodox ties and 2030 Jordan
Patriarchs Theophilos III and Kirill discussed preparations for events planned in Jordan in 2030 to mark the anniversary of the baptism of Jesus Christ, and the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem said the two sides also discussed preparations for commemorations of the Baptism of the Lord at the Site of the Jordan’s Baptism in 2030.
Anadolu Ajansı said Kirill and Theophilos III held talks at the Moscow Patriarchate’s residence, discussing relations between the two churches, challenges in inter-Orthodox relations and the situation facing Christians in the Middle East.
WAFA said Putin and Theophilos III discussed peace efforts and the indigenous Christian presence in the Holy Land at the Kremlin on Nov. 5, and it said Kirill attended the meeting.
The Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem said Theophilos III’s efforts were guided by Christ’s words, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” and it described the Patriarchate’s role as spiritual and humanitarian without intervening in political affairs.
