MOSCOW, October 13 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's chief mufti has become the first Muslim cleric to receive an Orthodox award, an Orthodox Church leader said on Monday.

"The head of the Central Muslim Board of Russia, Talgat Tadzhuddin, has been awarded a Russian Orthodox Church order for 'promoting interfaith peace and accord," Archbishop Nikon told a conference titled 'Islam and the state.'

"The Russian Church expresses its gratefulness to Mufti Tadzhuddin for training Muslim leaders who contribute to interfaith cooperation by their activities," the archbishop said, reading out a congratulatory message from the Moscow Patriarchy.

Tadzhuddin, who has held his post since Soviet times, has been loyal to the Kremlin, condemning separatist fighters and extremists. The mufti has however been in the headlines in recent years for his remarks about plans for gay pride parades in Moscow.

The cleric is expected to receive the order of St. Prince Daniel of Moscow - famous for policies aimed at avoiding bloodshed during the Tatar-Mongol invasion of Russia - when he visits Moscow in the near future.