The Very Rev. Archimandrite Efrem Koutsou, Abbot of Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos, received the highest distinction of the Romanian Patriarchate, the Patriarchal Cross.
The ceremony took place last Friday in the Hall of the Romanian Saints at the Patriarchal Residence, immediately after the reception of the relics of Saint John Chrysostom.
The distinction was awarded for “his long-standing, fruitful, and beneficial service to the Church and society.”
In this context, Patriarch Daniel of Romania expressed his appreciation for the continuous spiritual work of Vatopedi Monastery and its significant contribution to Orthodoxy and monasticism.
In response, Abbot Ephraim of Vatopedi thanked Patriarch Daniel for the warm welcome and the honour bestowed, offering him two icons—one depicting Saint John Chrysostom and the other featuring Saints Paisius and Cleopas of Sihăstria. The abbot also presented the Patriarch with an antimension.
Archimandrite Ephraim brought the honourable skull of Saint John Chrysostom to Romania as part of the summer celebration of Saint Demetrius the New.
For more images from the event, visit the Photo Gallery.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela Ene