On Thursday, March 12, a reception was held in the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, honoring the 90th birthday of Rabbi Arthur Schneier, chairman of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation. Representing the Russian Orthodox Church was the Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Archpriest George Konyev.

Fr. George relayed the greetings and well-wishes of His Holiness Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow and all Russia as well as the chairman of the Department of External Church Relations, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk. The reception was attended by the Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres, representatives of various Orthodox jurisdictions in the United States as well as other religious, diplomatic and social organizations.