Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has awarded the Order of Freedom to Head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Volodymyr (Viktor Sabodan).
A decree posted on the official Web site of the head of state on Tuesday reads that the metropolitan was awarded the order "for his outstanding personal contribution to the establishment of peace and concord in society, as well as many years of selfless work on the revival of spirituality and the national and cultural identity of the Ukrainian people."
Metropolitan Volodymyr turned 75 on Nov. 22.
