The World Community Grieves Over the Death of Patriarch Aleksei II

Patriarch Aleksei Rediger of Moscow and all Russia (1929-2008), greeting a Russian Muslim cleric

People all over the world are grieving over the death of Patriarch Aleksei II of Moscow and All Russia. He died at his country residence near Moscow on Friday, after being the First Hierarch of the Moscow Patriarchate for 18 years. As he was the head of the largest churches in the world, he was a figure of global stature. In particular, Patriarch Aleksei was known for his persistent efforts to promote dialogue with other world religions. Benedict XVI, the Pope of Rome, was one of the first to offer his condolences to the MP Holy Synod over the dearth of the patriarch. The head of the Roman Catholic church called to mind Patriarch Aleksei’s efforts for mutual understanding and collaboration between Orthodox and Catholics. Benedict said, “I am pleased to recall the efforts of the late Patriarch for the rebirth of the Church, after the severe ideological oppression which led to the martyrdom of so many witnesses to the Christian faith”. He went on to say, “I also recall his courageous battle for the defence of human and Gospel values, especially in the European Continent, and I trust that his commitment will bear fruit in peace and genuine progress, human, social, and spiritual”.

Aleksei II not only maintained dialogue with the Catholic world, he also overcame a division within the Church, reuniting the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) and the MP in the homeland, thus, restoring unity in the Russian church. A ROCOR spokesman, Fr Antony told Voice of Russia, “Orthodox believers abroad are profoundly saddened over the death of the Holy Patriarch, for he was the spiritual archpastor of the entire Russian world. It’s hard to overestimate the role His Holiness has played in the modern history of the church in the past 20 years. His moral and spiritual authority was, in many respects, the pillar of social stability in Russia”.

One of the greatest attributes of Aleksei II was his fostering of the dialogue between the various traditional confessions in Russia. Berel Lazar, the Chief Rabbi of Russia, in his message of condolences, said, “The death of Patriarch Aleksei II was a deep loss to all believers, no matter what confession they belonged to. Patriarch Aleksei made invaluable contributions to the revival of religion and spirituality in Russia, and he harmonised relations between the traditional religious confessions for the good of our multi-ethnic Russian state. His activity and pastoral service helped encourage a better mutual understanding between our peoples and they helped to open our country up to the outside world. At the same time, he demonstrated that it was possible to solve our problems in a positive spirit, on the basis of love for neighbour”.

For his part, Mufti Ravil Gainutdin, the head of the Russian Council of Muftis, also presented his condolences. “Aleksei II was an outstanding Christian figure who played a significant role in the normalisation and spiritual reunification of the entire Russian Orthodox Church. His long-standing and relentless activity in the name of peace and fraternal love between the many nationalities of Great Russia won him respect from many who were not members of his flock, including many Russian Muslims. His devout service to God and the people in his every action won this respect”.

The funeral of Patriarch Alexei II will take place on Tuesday, 9 December. According to his expressed instructions, he will be buried in the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Moscow, next to the holy relics of his heavenly patron, St Aleksei.

6 December 2008

Milena Faustova

Voice of Russia World Service

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=rus&q=92113&cid=434&p=06.12.2008 (in Russian)