100-Year-Old Nun of the Iversky–Seraphimovsky Convent in Almaty, Schema-nun Irina (Lyubitskaya), Awarded the Order of Friendship

October 16, 2025. The eldest nun of the Iversky–Seraphimovsky Convent, a veteran of the Great Patriotic War – Schema-nun Irina (Lyubitskaya) – has been awarded a high state decoration of the Russian Federation.

By petition of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, and in accordance with the Decree of the President of Russia V. V. Putin dated 15.10.2025 No. 728 “On awarding state decorations of the Russian Federation”, the centenarian nun was awarded the Order of Friendship.

In the year of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, the President of the Russian Federation acknowledged the merits of this devoted church laborer and veteran, recognizing her contribution to the preservation and popularization of historical and cultural heritage.

On April 22, 2025, Schema-nun Irina (Lyubitskaya) was also honored with the highest women’s award of the Russian Orthodox Church – the Order of Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duchess Olga, 1st Class.