Orthodox leader Patriarch Kirill is one of Russia's people of 2009

Moscow (ENI). Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill I has been honoured in a Russian 2009 Person of the Year award, taking top honours along with President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin at an awards ceremony held at Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow. The award is given by an organization called the Russian Biographical Institute. It honours public figures in spheres such as religion, politics, sports, medicine, education and culture. Winners are chosen by a committee and also by voting in the media and on the Internet. [331 words, ENI-09-0994]