With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, visited India from October 31 to November 3, 2024. 
On November 1, the DECR Chairman met with the Primate of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, His Holiness Catholicos Basil Mar Thomas Matthew III.
Then Metropolitan Anthony took part in a solemn ceremony on the occasion of the memorial day of St. Gregory of Parumala, revered by Indian Christians, where he delivered a welcoming speech.
On November 2, the DECR Chairman presented His Holiness Catholicos Basil Mar Thomas Matthew III with the Order of Glory and Honor (I degree). The Primate of the Malankara Church was awarded this award in recognition of his contribution to the development of friendly relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Malankara Church and in connection with the 75th anniversary of his birth.
On the same day, His Eminence met with local Christian youth within the framework of the Mar Gregory Student Movement congress held by the Malankara Church.
Metropolitan Anthony also held talks with the Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Malankara Church, Metropolitan Chrysostom of Niranam.
At the end of the visit, the DECR Chairman held meetings with Metropolitan Juhanon Mar Dioskoros of Kottayam and Metropolitan Geevargis Mar Yulios of Kunnamkulam.
Metropolitan Anthony was accompanied on the trip by the DECR Secretary for Inter-Christian Relations, Hieromonk Stefan (Igumnov), the Executive director of the Department for External Church Relations of the Malankara Church, Priest Ashwin Fernandis and Hieromonk Gio Joseph, an employee of this Department.