Russia: Putin presents families with 'Order of Parental Glory'

Russian President Vladimir Putin decorated parents of exceptionally large families from across Russia with the 'Order of Parental Glory' in Moscow, Monday. Speaking at the Kremlin, the Russian president praised the families for "preserving traditional family foundations," which "have aways protected and up-lifted Russia." "They have made Russia mightier and stronger; they have built the moral foundation of our multi-national population," he added. The Order of Parental Glory is awarded to parents, foster parents, or to single parents who have raised seven or more children in the Russian Federation, and is held annually on International Children’s Day. The parents receive the award when their seventh child reaches the age of three, under the condition that all other children in the family are alive and in good health. Exceptions are made only if elder children have passed away serving Russia, either during military service or while performing official or civic duties.