Russian Orthodox Patriarch Has Died

Posted in: Uncategorized by bill-o on December 06, 2008

Shadows and Symbols would like to express our condolences to our friends in the Russian Orthodox community on the occassion of the death of Patriarch Alexei II. Spritual leader to about 100 million people, Alexei II died at his Moscow home on Friday, December 5, at the age of 79.

Alexei II was elected patriarch in June 1990, and presided over the Russian Orthodox Church during many imortant events in the history of Russia: the aborted coup of the Soviet Union in the summer 1991 and the dissolution of the Soviet Union at the end of that year, the turbulent years of Boris Yeltsin, and the rise of Vladimir Putin to the presidency of the Russian Federation in January 2000.

The patriarch’s legacy upon the Russian Orthodox Church is profound. For example, there were only 18 Russian Orthodox monasteries in Russia and Ukraine at the time of his election. Today, there are 700. Alexei II will also be remembered for playing a key role in reuniting the Russian Orthodox Church inside of Russia with the Russian Orthodox Church in exile (the Church Abroad) in 2007.

Please see the story at Religion News for more details:

http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/rnstext/russian_orthodox_leader_alexy_ii_dies_at_79/

3 Comments »

  1. Wow. Russia and the Ukraine must be experiencing a real monastic revival. I knew the Greek Orthodox are, based on Mt. Athos we’ve discussed.

    The lead to the article seems to criticize Patriarch Alexei II for being unwilling or unable to pursue unity with the Roman Catholic Church. But I don’t think the Russian Orthodox Church was in the political position to pull that off — or even begin that process — in a way that might lead to a unity that would preserve their view of Scripture where it diverges from the Catholic Church.

    Comment by Peter — December 6, 2008 @ 9:19 am

  2. Rapproachmant between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches is a sensitive issue. I agree: it will not happen quickly.

    Comment by bill-o — December 7, 2008 @ 7:48 am


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