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Russian Church to elect patriarch Russia patriarch shortlist agreed
(about 16 hours later)
Senior members of the Russian Orthodox Church are meeting to begin the process of electing a new leader, following the death of Patriarch Alexiy II last year. Senior members of the Russian Orthodox Church have drawn up a shortlist of three contenders to succeed Patriarch Alexiy II, who died last year.
Church leaders will draw up a shortlist of three candidates; a full Church council, including lay people, will then choose one of them by Thursday. Among the three is the interim leader Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, known to millions through a weekly TV broadcast.
A full Church council, which included lay people, will choose a new patriarch from among the three by Thursday.
It is the first election of a patriarch since the fall of the Soviet Union.It is the first election of a patriarch since the fall of the Soviet Union.
Alexiy II steered the Church through the transition from communist rule, when Russia was officially atheist.Alexiy II steered the Church through the transition from communist rule, when Russia was officially atheist.
Patriarch Alexiy II died on 5 December at the age of 79. He died on 5 December at the age of 79.
His successor will lead a growing Church of around 165 million followers, including nearly 70% of Russia's population.His successor will lead a growing Church of around 165 million followers, including nearly 70% of Russia's population.
Moral authorityMoral authority
Senior Church leaders will gather in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour to begin deliberations about who should hold one of Christianity's most senior roles. Senior Church leaders gathered in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour on Sunday to begin deliberations about who should hold one of Christianity's most senior roles.
Analysts say the favourite to succeed Alexiy II is the current interim head of the Church, Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad. Analysts say Metropolitan Kirill is the favourite to succeed Alexiy II, while his main rival is said to be Metropolitan Kliment of Kaluga and Borovsk.Metropolitans Kirill (left) and Kliment are said to be the main contenders
Metropolitans Kirill (left) and Kliment are said to be the main contenders Metropolitan Filaret of Minsk and Slutsk was the third man to make the final shortlist.
His main rival is said to be Metropolitan Kliment of Kaluga and Borovsk.
BBC religious affairs correspondent Christopher Landau says the new patriarch will have to decide how close the Church should be to the political establishment.BBC religious affairs correspondent Christopher Landau says the new patriarch will have to decide how close the Church should be to the political establishment.
He must also consider relations with other churches, especially the strained relationship with the Roman Catholic Church, our correspondent says.He must also consider relations with other churches, especially the strained relationship with the Roman Catholic Church, our correspondent says.
Alexiy II became the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1990, shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union.Alexiy II became the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1990, shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union.
He was credited with helping restore the moral authority of the Church after decades of repression under communism.He was credited with helping restore the moral authority of the Church after decades of repression under communism.
He insisted on his Church's right to be the sole national church of Russia, bringing its scattered branches back under the control of the Moscow Patriarchate.He insisted on his Church's right to be the sole national church of Russia, bringing its scattered branches back under the control of the Moscow Patriarchate.
Alexiy II also moved the Church closer to political circles, often visiting the Kremlin and aligning himself with its foreign policy stances.Alexiy II also moved the Church closer to political circles, often visiting the Kremlin and aligning himself with its foreign policy stances.