Moscow, March 12, 2021
Photo: wikimedia.org More than 200 medical workers have been awarded the Russian Medal of St. Luke of Crimea and the Order of Pirogov for their dedicated work against the coronavirus.
The honors were awarded for dedication shown in the performance of professional duty and the organization of work to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, according to a decree of President Vladimir Putin published on March 6.
Three doctors also received the honorary title of “Honored Health Worker.”
Both the Medal of St. Luke of Crimea and the Order of Pirogov were established last June. The Medal of St. Luke, named in honor the great 20th-century hierarch and surgeon, is awarded to practitioners, junior medical staff, and other employees of medical organizations for their services in the field of health protection and their contribution to the organization of medical care.
St. Luke is one of the most beloved saints in the Orthodox today and is known as a great wonderworker.
Nikolai Pirogov was a 19th-century surgeon, whom His Eminence Metropolitan Luke of Zaporozhye of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has suggested could also be canonized.
“In our difficult times, when humanity has become more and more deeply immersed in incurable diseases, we need more than ever the help of those saints who can be our companions in the fight against these serious ailments. One such person who could be suggested as a candidate for canonization is the outstanding surgeon Nikolai Ivanovich Pirogov,” His Eminence wrote in June.
Having spiritually wandered and returned to Orthodoxy, “the surgeon devoted his entire life to the service of God,” Met. Luke affirms.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, Parler, MeWe, and Gab!
