Sincere condolences on the death of the Russian Patriarch. The choice of a replacement should provide much insight as to which direction the ROC will take on the path to unity. The Armenian Orthodox Church hierarchy has visited the Vatican twice this year and the Greek Patriarch jointly opened the Year of St. Paul with the Holy Father. Alexy II moved at a much slower pace.

You will keep us posted :-)
NYer | 12.05.08 - 11:14 am | #

I pray for his soul and all the Russian Orthodox faithful. It would be easy to criticize aspects of his life, but I can't imagine living under the thumb of the Soviets for years while trying to continue to practice the faith.

I pray especially for his successor, that he might be more open to concrete steps towards unity.
Eric Sammons | Homepage | 12.05.08 - 11:18 am | #

Eternal memory be to him! (I have a neighbor who is Russian Orthodox)
irishgirl | 12.05.08 - 11:35 am | #

The "Holy Synod" of Russian Orthodox bishops will meet to elect the next patriarch.

This is also the manner in which (Eastern) patriarchs are elected in the Catholic Church.
f.r. | 12.05.08 - 12:00 pm | #

Is "profoundly saddened" just a generic phrase these days, its use being de rigeuer whenever a public figure dies? Are we all John Donne-s now?
Ed Peters | Homepage | 12.05.08 - 12:44 pm | #

Since the Pope has a German and not English background, I would suspect he really means what he says, and not is not plagiarizing an English writer whose work he may not have ever read.
fh in Houston | 12.05.08 - 1:40 pm | #

Peace to his soul and those of his people.
Foxfier | Homepage | 12.05.08 - 3:00 pm | #

He wanted it both ways. He did not want competing religions in Russia but he was happy to prosetyze in latin america. Typical hypocrite.
dave | 12.05.08 - 3:33 pm | #

"profoundly saddened" is a lot better than "superficially saddened", no?
Anonymous | 12.05.08 - 4:12 pm | #

I, too, love the poetry of John Donne.

Dr. Peters, you and I should get together and share pie.

My condolences to the Russian people, as well.
Anonymous | 12.05.08 - 8:43 pm | #

As far as I can recall from the most recent election of a Melkite Patriarch, three names were submitted to the Holy Father in the order of the Synod's preference.

I may be incorrect about that, but it is my recollection.
Sushi | 12.05.08 - 9:21 pm | #

Fr. Aidan Nichols, OP -

"A Catholic View of Eastern Orthodoxy"

http://www.secondspring.co.uk/ar...les/ nichols.htm
Balthasar Fan in Brooklyn, NY | 12.06.08 - 10:37 pm | #