Russian Orthodox Church Elects New Patriarch

Folks, I note that the Russian Orthodox Church elected the locum tenens or acting Patriarch, 62-year-old Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk to serve as its Patriarch three days ago. The Russian Orthodox Church has traditionally been suspicious of the West, particularly Roman Catholicism. The mistrust dates to the split between Eastern and Western Christianity split nearly 1,000 years ago. While Kirill has criticized Catholic attempts to proselytize in Russia, analysts say he could eventually meet with the Pope in what would be an unprecedented meeting between the two churches. Patriarch Kirill's installation as Patriarch will be broadcast live on Russian State television on February 1, according to the Voice of America.

I want to extend my respectful and fraternal congratulations to our brethren in the Russian Orthodox Church and hope and pray that Patriarch Kirill's election beckons a new era of better relations between our Churches.