On July 27, at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, was held a meeting of the President of Ukraine V. Yanukovych and the Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches, who arrived in Kiev to celebrate the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia.

Addressing those present with words of welcome, the Ukrainian President stressed the need to "protect the moral values ​​that for centuries have been the basis of our identity."

The President also stressed the importance of the Orthodox heritage in the spiritual life of Ukraine.

He thanked His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill and all the heads of the Local Orthodox Churches participating in common prayer, held that day in the capital city of Kiev.

By the decree of the President of Ukraine, for outstanding church activity directed at the establishment of Orthodoxy in the world, and in connection with the celebration in Ukraine the 1025-anniversary of the Baptism of Kievan Rus, with the Order of I degree of Prince Yaroslav the Wise were awarded: His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill, His Beatitude Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa Theodore II, His Beatitude Patriarch of Jerusalem and all Palestine Theophilos III, His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irenaeus, His Holiness the Bulgarian Patriarch Neophytos, His Beatitude Archbishop of New Justiniana and All Cyprus Chrysostomos II, Metropolitan of Warsaw and All Poland Sawa , Metropolitan of All America and Canada Tikhon. State awards to the church leaders were presented by President of Ukraine V. Yanukovych.