” “The Patriarch Alexius II of Moscow and all Russia gave to the archbishop Antonio Mennini, apostolic nuncio to Russia, the honour of Saint Daniel, prince of Moscow. The archbishop reads a release from the Russian agency Interfax was rewarded for "the efforts made to establish good relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church". The honour was given yesterday at the apostolic nunciature by the deputy president of the Department of the Patriarchate for foreign relations of the Russian Orthodox Church, rev. Vsevolod Chaplin, and by the secretary of such department, rev. Igor Vyzhanov. Then, on the occasion of his 60th birthday, the Patriarch Alexius II sent to archbishop Mennini a birthday message. "Since the start of your appointment as Vatican nuncio to Russia reads the text , you have earned the reputation of being an indefatigable author of good relations between the two States and between our Churches". The Patriarch added that the archbishop’s years of service in Russia "have been extremely important for the relations between the diplomatic mission of the Pope in Moscow and the Russian Orthodox Church, marked by affection, openness and trust". The same honour was given last year to mgr. Vincenzo Paglia, bishop of Terni-Narni-Amelia and president of the Ecumenism and Dialogue Commission of the Italian Bishops Conference.” “
