Russian Orthodox Church Leader To Hold Memorial Service For Patriarch Alexy II
By Ria Novosti
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia will on Monday hold a memorial service for his predecessor, Patriarch Alexy II, three years after his death.
Alexy II, who had led the Russian Orthodox Church for more than 18 years, died on December 5, 2008 at age 79.
Kirill, seen as a liberal in the largely traditionalist Church, was elected to head the Russian Church after Alexy’s death. He was enthroned on February 1, 2009.
Alexy led a revival of faith in Russia following the collapse of the Soviet system.
Patriarch Kirill will hold the memorial service in the Yelokhovo Epiphany Cathedral, where his predecessor was buried.
