Now in the Crimea the meeting of Patriarch Kirill, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church with President of Ukraine Victor Yanykovych is taking place, President’s press-service reports.
The head of the state welcomed the Patriarch on Ukrainian land.
At the beginning of the meeting the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church conferred the highest award of the Russian Orthodox Church on President of Ukraine – the order of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Valdimir, 1st degree.
Victor Yanukovych received distinction for the care of the work of firming up Orthodoxy in Ukraine and on the occasion of the 60th anniversary”.
The Patriarch noted it is the highest distinction of the ROC, granted exclusively to the patriarchs and heads of the state. “I’m happy that due to Your anniversary – such an important one – I had an opportunity on the first year of your presidentail tenure to deliver to You this distinction in person, as a token of respect of the Russian Orthodox Church to Your labor and Your personality”, said the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church. 
