President Bush offers condolences as Russian Church Mourns
0 Comments Published by georgy on Sunday, December 7 at 12:44 PM.
WASHINGTON (AFP) – President George W. Bush offers his condolences over the death of Alexy II, the Orthodox patriarch of the Russian Church, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Friday.
"President Bush offers his sincere condolences to the people of Russia and to the members of the Russian Orthodox Church," Perino said in a statement.
"The President's heart is with the community of Russian believers as they continue to rebuild the rich spiritual traditions of Russia," she said.
Alexy II, who was 79, oversaw a post-Soviet renaissance of the Russian Church yet was steadily criticized as subservient to the Kremlin.
"Alexy 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," said Perino.
Despite leading the Church during a period of robust resurgence, Alexy II was regarded by many as essentially an establishment figure and was criticized by some as being too ready to serve the Kremlin's political causes.
Born Alexei Ridiger, he made his ecclesiastical career at a time when the Church was controlled by Soviet authorities before forging an alliance with the new Russian state under presidents Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin.
Alexy II took stances on foreign policy issues that often matched the Kremlin line, criticizing NATO strikes against Yugoslavia, the US-led war in Iraq and defending the rights of ethnic Russians in the former Soviet Union.
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"President Bush offers his sincere condolences to the people of Russia and to the members of the Russian Orthodox Church," Perino said in a statement.
"The President's heart is with the community of Russian believers as they continue to rebuild the rich spiritual traditions of Russia," she said.
Alexy II, who was 79, oversaw a post-Soviet renaissance of the Russian Church yet was steadily criticized as subservient to the Kremlin.
"Alexy 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," said Perino.
Despite leading the Church during a period of robust resurgence, Alexy II was regarded by many as essentially an establishment figure and was criticized by some as being too ready to serve the Kremlin's political causes.
Born Alexei Ridiger, he made his ecclesiastical career at a time when the Church was controlled by Soviet authorities before forging an alliance with the new Russian state under presidents Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin.
Alexy II took stances on foreign policy issues that often matched the Kremlin line, criticizing NATO strikes against Yugoslavia, the US-led war in Iraq and defending the rights of ethnic Russians in the former Soviet Union.
Source:
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