Sorrow in the Vatican over the death of the Russian Orthodox Patriarch

The Holy See expressed its sorrow after receiving the sad news of the death of the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, His Holiness Alexy II. The Vatican then acknowledged his decisive role in the rebirth of Christianity after the fall of the Soviet Union.

The Holy See expressed its sorrow after receiving the sad news of the death of the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, His Holiness Alexy II. The Vatican then acknowledged his decisive role in the rebirth of Christianity after the fall of the Soviet Union.

A message released by Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, recognized the importance of his patriarchal ministry "in a period of great change".

"His leadership - the message declared - enabled the Church to face the challenges of transition from the Soviet era to the present with renewed interior vitality."

Alexy II – the Cardinal added – "was instrumental in fostering the enormous growth of dioceses, parishes, monasteries and educational institutions which have given new life to a Church sorely tested for so long".

Alexei Mikhailovich Ridiger, Alexy II, was born on February 23, 1929 in Tallinn, Estonia. After the death of Patriarch Pimen I, in 1990, Alexy was designated as the head of the Russian Orthodox Church.