5 December 2008
Gorbachev pays tribute to Alexy II
Former USSR president Mikhail Gorbachev has called the death of Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II a great loss and said he was convinced the patriarch's name would make
history.
"I am grieving together with all Orthodox believers and Russians over this great loss. Patriarch Alexy II's selfless and active devotion will make history," Gorbachev said in a statement released on Friday.
"He was among those few who were aware of the need to revive spirituality in our country, and he devoted his whole saintly life of a spiritual pastor to this great goal," Gorbachev said.
"As the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Alexy II was an example of respect towards all confessions in our multi-cultural country. His great achievement was the reunification of the Russian Orthodox church and the development of an equal dialogue with representatives of other churches and confessions of the world," the former USSR president said.
Gorbachev also noted "His Holiness' great contribution to the law on the freedom of consciousness and religion drafted together with other confessional leaders during the perestroika era," he said.
"Without interfering in politics, he would raise his low but weighty voice during difficult times in favor of social justice and the poor," the ex-USSR president said.
Gorbachev extended his condolences over the death of Alexy II to the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Interfax // 09.12.2008
