This file photo of January 12, 2008 shows then Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, crossing himself in Uspensky Cathedral of Vladai Iversky Svyatoozersky Bogoroditsky Men's Monastery. Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexiy II, stands at the left.
Photo: Dmitry Azarov
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Death of Alexiy II Is Tragic, Sorrowful Event, Putin Said
Head of Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Alexiy II of Moscow and All Russia died this morning in the Moscow Region’s Peredelkino residence. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called it a very tragic and very sorrowful event.
“Alexiy II was true Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, he was a very pure man, it is a very big loss,” Vladimir Putin said. The prime minister expressed his condolence during the meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisyan.
Vladimir Putin particularly emphasized the contribution of the late patriarch to the interaction of different confessions. “Not only was he the figure in history of Russian Orthodox Church, but he was also a statesman. He did very much for establishment of Russia’s statehood,” prime minister emphasized.
Tigran Sarkisyan presented condolence on behalf of Armenia’s president, the nation of Armenia.
Alexiy II was elected the Patriarch of Russia’s Orthodox Church in 1990 after the death of Patriarch Pimen I. As Patriarch, Alexiy II led the church towards the major religious revival in the country and towards the unification with the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. Lots of churches were opened over his 18-year reign.
Russia responded by the grief outpour to his death, and a raft of policymakers and religious leaders expressed the regrets.
“He was the true pastor for his people,” commented Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov, pointing out that it is yet impossible to realize that he was dead. “His merit is not only that he united the Russian Church and the Church Outside Russia, it is that he was the man of high moral standards, culture, the man of high intellect,” the speaker pointed out.
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