Patriarch Alexius II

From Freepedia

Image:Inauguration12.jpg Patriarch Alexius II (born February 23, 1929) is the current Patriarch of Moscow and the spiritual leader of the Russian Orthodox Church. He was born as Alexey Mikhailovich Ridiger in Tallinn, Estonia, to the family of a priest. He graduated from Leningrad clerical seminary in 1949; was consecrated deacon in 1950; graduated from Leningrad clerical academy in 1953. On August 14, 1961, he was chosen to be the Bishop of Tallinn and Estonia. On June 23, 1964, he was promoted to archbishop; and, on February 25, 1968, at the age of 39 - to metropolitan. After the death of Patriarch Pimen I in 1990 Alexei was chosen to become the new Patriarch of The Russian Orthodox Church.

Despite his age, Patriarch Alexius II is very healthy and leads an active pastoral life. He's frequently seen on Russian TV, meeting with politicians (however, there are no intrusion into political life by the Church, which is explicitly emphasized by the Patriarch).

Relatively little is known about his personal life. Patriarchial residence is located in Peredelkino, a suburb of Moscow; it includes a 350 year old restored church, a museum, and a three-storey house. There is also a winter residence - an apartment in the center of Moscow. Both residences act as living quarters and Patriarch's office at the same time. He commutes in an armored car under the protection of federal agents. Being a monk, Patriarch Alexius II is not allowed to possess any property himself; residences and cars are the property of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Controversy

Patriarch Alexius II is rumored to have been a KGB agent during the Soviet period. According to documents found in Estonian KGB archives, he was recruited on February 28, 1958. It is quite possible, however, that these documents were forged.

His name (secular Алексей, clerical Алексий) is transliterated from the Russian alphabet into English in various forms, including Alexius, Alexei, and Alexy. He didn't change his first name when he became a monk.