Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II Goes Home to the Lord

Condolences, prayers and pledges of support for his successor have come from all over the world at the death of Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II.

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MOSCOW/BUDAPEST (Catholic Online) - "I am shocked. It is hard to find words. I had immense respect for him". These are the grieving words attributed to Mikhail Gorbachev in a multitude of news reports now streaming out of Russia concerning the death of Patriarch Alexy II, the beloved head of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Reportedly interested in the claims of the Christian faith in the last few years, the last President of the Soviet Union and champion of the "Glasnost" strategy which helped consign that former world power to the history books expressed the sentiments of the entire Russian people. Under the leadership of Patriarch Alexy II, the Orthodox Christian faith has been resurgent in Russia. That resurgence is spreading globally.

Condolences, prayers and pledges of support for his successor have come from all over the world at the death of Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II. Gorbachev was in office when the Patriarch ascended to his office in 1990.

Similar sentiments have flowed into Russia from the leadership of both Church and State throughout the world. "This is an irretrievable loss for all Russian Orthodox people, wherever they live," said the Speaker of the Upper House of the Russian Parliament.

The 79 year old Patriarch died early Friday morning, Dec 5th, 2008 in his residence. The cause of his death is presumed to be attributable to his continuing heart ailment. However, no official word has been released. His photo is on the front page of Russian newspapers and reports fill the radio and television broadcasts.

There is no doubt that Patriarch Alexy has been a dominant force in the revival of Orthodox Christianity in Russia and all of the territory of the former Soviet Union. As that empire collapsed, one of his first moves symbolized what became his leadership model, he encouraged the recovery and restoration of Church buildings which had been confiscated, stripped of their gold and used for warehouses under the former atheist State regime.

Under the leadership of Patriarch Alexy II, Orthodox Russia reemerged with its splendorous Liturgies and Church calendar being woven once again into the resurgent Russian culture. Now, as the faithful mourn his loss, the observers of the wave of the Orthodox Christian resurgence in Russia and around the world watch with interest to see who will succeed to his position.

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