The Greek Orthodox Church presented this Sunday the Order of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel.
The order, named “Star,” was awarded to Díaz-Canel in recognition of the “support of the Cuban State” to that church, according to official media.
The delivery ceremony took place during the closing of the celebrations for the two decades of the consecration of the Sacred Greek Orthodox Cathedral of San Nicolás de Myra, in Old Havana.
The celebrations, which began last Thursday, also commemorated the “historic meeting” between the late former president Fidel Castro and the ecumenical patriarch Bartolomeo, point Cubadebate.
| This Sunday the president @DiazCanelB He was awarded the Order of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartolomeo “Estrella”, in recognition of the support that the Cuban State has provided to the Greek Orthodox Church.https://t.co/R88rA7aDlL
— Presidency Cuba (@PresidenciaCuba) January 27, 2025
The archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia, Makarios, envoy of Patriarch Bartolomeo, received Díaz-Canel at the Sacred Cathedral of Saint Nicholas of Myra, where he imposed the Star order on him.
In doing so, he assured that “Cuba embraces all religions, peoples and traditions” and highlighted that the order is a recognition of the collaboration of the island’s Government with the Patriarchate of Constantinople “in welcoming the temple for 20 years.” the report states.
The Cuban president, for his part, thanked the “historical position” of the Patriarchate of Constantinople against the sanctions against the island and highlighted the “coincidences of principles” on issues such as peaceful coexistence and environmental protection.
As part of the activities for the two decades of the meeting between the Commander in Chief and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartolomeo, I received from the hands of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, envoy of His All Holiness, the Order of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartolomeo “Star”.
1/2 pic.twitter.com/LRIayWw81X
— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) January 27, 2025
Other representatives of the Greek Orthodox Church participated in the meeting, both arriving for the celebrations and from the Bishopric for Cuba and the entire Caribbean, as well as authorities and Cuban party representatives.
The Holy Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas of Myra is located on Port Avenue, in the surroundings of the Mother Teresa of Calcutta Garden and the Convent of Saint Francis of Assisi. Although small, it is considered an example of classical Byzantine architecture.
According to different sources, including officials, its consecration took place in January 2004, so the celebrations took place a year after two decades of the event.
Shortly after the consecration of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, and a few blocks away, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan, belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church, larger and better known by Havana residents and visitors.
