Arvo Pärt Receives Distinction from Patriarch Bartholomew
Patriarch Bartholomew I awarded composer Arvo Pärt and businessman Viljo Vetik with the title of Archon during a liturgy at the Church of the Transfiguration in Pärnu yesterday.
The ceremony, attended by hundreds of people, was held to mark 90th anniversary of the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church, ETV reported.
Pärt, a world-famous composer, received the recognition for introducing the Orthodox musical tradition to classical enthusiasts around the globe. Vetik was honored for supporting the renovation of a church on the island of Kihnu, which Bartholomew is visiting today.
Bartholomew is visiting Estonia from September 4-11. It is his third official visit to Estonia.