Posted on 01/25/2009 9:19:44 AM PST by pobeda1945
MOSCOW, January 25 (RIA Novosti) - The Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church announced on Sunday a shortlist of three candidates to elect a new leader following the death of Patriarch Alexy II last year.
Patriarch Alexy II, who led the revival of Orthodoxy in the country after the demise of communism, died of heart failure at the age of 79 in December 2008. Kirill, Metropolitan of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, was chosen by the Holy Synod as interim patriarch.
The shortlist includes Metropolitans Kirill, Kliment and Filaret.
Senior members of the Russian Orthodox Church met at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow on Sunday to draw up the shortlist. A full Church Council, including lay people, will then gather on January 27-28 to elect one of the three candidates as Alexy II's successor.
Orthodox ping
Any comments on what type of patriarch each of the three would be?
“Any comments on what type of patriarch each of the three would be?”
+Kyrill is independent and not at all provincial. He is theologically sound. In my opinion, he’d be great for both intra-Orthodox relations and for relations with Rome.
+Kliment is the Kremlin’s man. He is conservative and a nationalist.
+Filaret is from Minsk in Belarus. I think he’s only there for looks but his supporters might fall to Kliment. Given the number of non-Russians voting in this synod, however, it might end up being +Kyrill. That’s the betting right now, but as with elections to the Papacy, only the Holy Spirit knows what will happen.
Comment TC?
Well, Kyrill is Archbisop of Kaliningrad, and Locum Tenens, I think personally, that he would be the best choice. We need someone who is conservative, but NOT the Kremlin’s man.
Yes, I was surprised at the number of non-Russians that are participating in the synod. Does it reflect the number of Russian Orthodox outside of Russia or are they over-represented?
“Yes, I was surprised at the number of non-Russians that are participating in the synod. Does it reflect the number of Russian Orthodox outside of Russia or are they over-represented?”
In part it represents ROCOR but in greater measure it is a product of the collapse of the USSR.
However, the number of votes that qualified each individual are significant. +Kirill received 92 votes, Kliment (Clement) 32, and Filaret (Philaret) 16. I think the second round is more cosmetic than a question of who will be chosen, but in the world of politics and Church, anything is possible. It just looks like Kirill has the confidence of the majority.
If Metropolitan Kirill is selected by a majority of non-Russians does this have a potential of causing difficulties with his local Russian church in Moscow?
At any rate, an isolationist MP would not serve the cause of reunion imo.
The local ultra-conservatives despise Kyrill since they consider him too friendly with the Roman Catholics or even a crypto-catholic.
Kyrill is alleged also that he was involved in tobacco and alcohol business in the 90es to get extra money for the Church's needs. The allegation was originally made by a Moscow's tabloid "Moskovskiy Komsomolets".
Reunion with whom?
“The local ultra-conservatives despise Kyrill since they consider him too friendly with the Roman Catholics or even a crypto-catholic.”
The Old Calendarists in Greece say the same thing about him, but they hate everyone so far as I can see. My cousins in Greece tell me that to the extent that the Church of Greece has a preference, its +Kyrill. I know the same is true for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and I assume with the Ecumenical Patriarch.
Kirill is likely to win, just check the number a votes he's got at the recent Bishop assembly. I think the variant that the clergy and laymen vote against him, not plausible.
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