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World Christian leaders praise Moscow Patriarch Alexei II

Christian leaders and organizations from around the world have issued statements to mark the death of Patriarch Alexei II of the Russian Orthodox Church, who died on 5 December at the age of 79, reports Ecumenical News International.

The World Council of Churches, which groups 349 churches, mostly Anglican, Protestant and Orthodox said, "The WCC and the ecumenical movement have lost today a leading figure, a powerful voice that knew how and when to be supportive and constructive but also how and when to be vigilant and critical .... He guided the Russian Orthodox Church moving out of the atheist regime. He led the Russian Orthodox Church through a long, patient and important reconstruction process during which the members of the clergy, parishes, monasteries, seminars and other institutions serving the church and her people were multiplied with a spectacular speed."

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TAGS: Europe Christian leaders Patriarch Alexei II Orthodox Church World Council of Churches

[12/08/2008]

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