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PATRIARCH ALEXIY II HAS DIED
- Dettagli
- Creato: 05 Dicembre 2008
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Alexiy II, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, has died this morning in his residence outside Moscow after a long illness. The news was released by Father Vladimir Vigilyanskiy, Spokesman for the Moscow Patriarchy, to Interfax agency. The Patriarch died at about 11a.m. (Moscow time). He was born in Tallinn to the family of an Orthodox priest on 23 February 1929. He graduated at the Leningrad seminary in 1949, was ordained a deacon in 1950 (and then a priest and a monk) and got a degree at Leningrad Theological Academy in 1953. On 14 August 1961, he was appointed Bishop of Tallinn and Estonia. On 23 June 1964, he was elected Archbishop, and on 25 February 1968, at the age of 39, Metropolitan. After the death of Patriarch Pimen I in 1990, Alexiy succeeded him as Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Russia. Alexiy II always had a strong connection with Pope Benedict XVI, the fruit of a long history of dialogue between the two Churches. But the long-awaited and wished meeting between the Pope and the Patriarch has never taken place. Last October, there was the last exchange of letters on the occasion of the visit of Archbishop of Naples Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe to Moscow, who gave the Patriarch an autograph letter of Benedict XVI. In his letter to the Pope, the Patriarch wrote: "I am glad for the growing perspectives of developing good relations and a positive co-operation between our two Churches. The solid basis is in our common roots, in our converging positions on the many issues that are plaguing our world." The Patriarch said he was "convinced that the greatest revelation of the Gospel ‘God is love' should become the guideline for all those who consider themselves followers of Christ, for it is only through our witness of this mystery that the conflicts and alienation of this century may be overcome by the proclamation of the eternal values of Christianity to the modern world."
MSGR. MENNINI (NUNCIO), A MASS FOR HIM IN THE CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL ON SUNDAY
“We feel sentiments of sadness before the death of the leader of a great Church as well as before a person who has always demonstrated attention, loveliness and understanding for my mission”. Those feelings was expressed by Apostolic Nuncio Msgr. Antonio Mennini this morning, who was informed about the death of Patriarch Alexius II by Interfax agency first, and then by Orthodox bishops and priests. Msgr. Mennini recalled the recent visits to Moscow of cardinals Dionigi Tettamanzi (Milan) and Crescenzio Sepe (Naples), as well as André Vingt-Trois. He also recalled the exchange of messages between the Patriarch and Pope Benedict XVI. “They were important stages – said the Nuncio – for approaching the two Churches”. According to the information of the Nuncio, three days should elapse before funeral celebrations. “With archbishop Pezzi – added Mennini – we decided to celebrate a Mass for the Patriarch at the cathedral next Sunday, at 10 am. As sign of our solidarity (to the Orthodox world), all Catholic believers and priests are asked to take part in that Mass”. “The example of Alexius II – added the Nuncio – has to be taken into consideration in the background of the difficult period through which the Patriarch led the Russian Church, that is, after the fall of communism”. "The Patriarch - went on the Nuncio - was able to keep the Church united, saving it from centrifugal escapes and external pressures. He worked on the recomposition of the Russian Orthodox Church abroad. One may say that, as a pastor, he took care of the unity of Christ's flock". Finally, the Nuncio recalled that the Patriarch was president of KEK, the Conference of European Churches, for a few years.
ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, "A MAN OF GREAT STATURE"
Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, expressed deep sadness upon the death of Alexiy II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. “With deep sadness we have received the news of the death of Patriarch Alexiy II,” reads a statement released today by the Anglican Communion Office in London. “He was a leader of great stature, with a huge experience, determination and courage, who firmly led his Church at a time of the Russian history marked by deep changes and challenges. We will remember him even as a friend of many outside his Church and, last but not least, as a friend of mine and of other members of the English Church. We will keep him and the whole Russian Orthodox Church in our prayers.”
© SIR
MSGR. MENNINI (NUNCIO), A MASS FOR HIM IN THE CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL ON SUNDAY
“We feel sentiments of sadness before the death of the leader of a great Church as well as before a person who has always demonstrated attention, loveliness and understanding for my mission”. Those feelings was expressed by Apostolic Nuncio Msgr. Antonio Mennini this morning, who was informed about the death of Patriarch Alexius II by Interfax agency first, and then by Orthodox bishops and priests. Msgr. Mennini recalled the recent visits to Moscow of cardinals Dionigi Tettamanzi (Milan) and Crescenzio Sepe (Naples), as well as André Vingt-Trois. He also recalled the exchange of messages between the Patriarch and Pope Benedict XVI. “They were important stages – said the Nuncio – for approaching the two Churches”. According to the information of the Nuncio, three days should elapse before funeral celebrations. “With archbishop Pezzi – added Mennini – we decided to celebrate a Mass for the Patriarch at the cathedral next Sunday, at 10 am. As sign of our solidarity (to the Orthodox world), all Catholic believers and priests are asked to take part in that Mass”. “The example of Alexius II – added the Nuncio – has to be taken into consideration in the background of the difficult period through which the Patriarch led the Russian Church, that is, after the fall of communism”. "The Patriarch - went on the Nuncio - was able to keep the Church united, saving it from centrifugal escapes and external pressures. He worked on the recomposition of the Russian Orthodox Church abroad. One may say that, as a pastor, he took care of the unity of Christ's flock". Finally, the Nuncio recalled that the Patriarch was president of KEK, the Conference of European Churches, for a few years.
ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, "A MAN OF GREAT STATURE"
Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, expressed deep sadness upon the death of Alexiy II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. “With deep sadness we have received the news of the death of Patriarch Alexiy II,” reads a statement released today by the Anglican Communion Office in London. “He was a leader of great stature, with a huge experience, determination and courage, who firmly led his Church at a time of the Russian history marked by deep changes and challenges. We will remember him even as a friend of many outside his Church and, last but not least, as a friend of mine and of other members of the English Church. We will keep him and the whole Russian Orthodox Church in our prayers.”
© SIR