Message #117253

[Bianca]

CHURCH UNITY AFTER COMMUNISM



It was in this cathedral that Alexiy and Metropolitan Laurus, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, signed a unification document in May last year.

"I have relatives abroad ... and we can now receive communion from one and the same chalice, which we were not allowed to do before," said mourner Anastasia Grekova.

Alexiy is to be buried on Tuesday at Moscow's Epiphany Cathedral, where the relics of his patron saint are stored.

The next patriarch has to be chosen within six months. Observers said there were four main possible successors, including Kirill.

Key issues in choosing the new patriarch will be relations with the state and the Catholic church. Kirill is seen as a reformer on both points.

He has been relatively open to the idea of building stronger ties with the Vatican, and is seen as a proponent of a more independent partnership with the state.

Pope Benedict remembered Alexiy in his regular Sunday address, saying to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square.

"We join our Orthodox brothers in prayer to commend his spirit unto the goodness of the Lord, so that he will be welcomed in His kingdom of light and peace."

Alexiy had criticized the Catholic church for trying to win converts in the east. He is credited by many Russians with helping to revive Orthodoxy and church attendance in the moral and spiritual vacuum after the collapse of the Soviet empire.

President Dmitry Medvedev issued a decree banning entertainment on television, radio and in public places on Tuesday, the day of the funeral.

U.S. President George W. Bush offered his condolences.

"Alexiy became patriarch at a time when Russia was in transition and during his term in office spiritual faith in Russia experienced an astounding revival after years of repression under communism," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said in a statement.

 

(Additional reporting by Dmitry Solovyov; editing by Ralph Boulton)