Armenian President Robert Kocharian is nominated for the prize of the International Fund of Unity of Orthodox Peoples in 2006. «The Armenian Church is concerned with Orthodox Russians be spiritually fed. In this respect the support by the Armenian President and city administration is available,» Moscow and All Russia Patriarch Alexy II stated at the annual meeting of founders of the Fund in Moscow. He also remarked that today Russia has the largest Armenian community, which numbers over 2.5 million. Gazprom Public Corporation is also nominated for «restoration of many ruinous sacred objects,» the religious leader said. Archbishop Sawa, Metropolitan of Warsaw and All Poland, will also be awarded the prize. «The Orthodox Church of Poland is not large, however it is active. The political leadership was changed. I believe the life conditions of Orthodox people in Poland will not be very easy,» Alexy II remarked.

A special international commission of the Fund headed by the Patriarch annually considers the candidacies. Specifically, in 2005 the prize was awarded to Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania Anastasios in the nomination of Head of Local Orthodox Church, Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos in the nomination of State Leader. Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov was also awarded the prize for Outstanding Activities to Strengthen Unity of Orthodox Peoples, Interfax reports.