Ukrainian prime minister joins Order of the Holy Sepulchre

Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem has inducted Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov to the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

"I want to proclaim you a grand commodore of Orthodox crusaders of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre," the patriarch said. Theophilos III decorated Azarov with a golden cross, a crown, a wreath and a star.He stressed, Azarov's visit to Jerusalem was not only of political but also of religious significance.

"Your current visit is important in the political as well as religious sense," the patriarch said. Azarov in his turn thanked the patriarch and noted that for him this was a great honor and that the world was living out hard times, and more than ever it was necessary to pray for spreading Christian values of light, warmth and good. "I see this as a sign of respect not only for me but also for the Ukrainian people," he said.