Patriarch Alexy hopes the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia reunites with the Moscow Patriarchate towards the end of the year
Moscow, July 24, Interfax - The unity of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and the Moscow Patriarchate may be completely re-established by the end of 2006, Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia thinks.
In the end of this year a joint liturgy may be celebrated by representatives of the two branches of the Russian Church in the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Moscow Kremlin, he said in his interview to Pervyi canal on Sunday.
According to Church canons that will mean the final overcoming of the schism.
‘We say that communion in prayer is needed. I think, however, it has already been achieved,’ Alexy II remarked.
He recalled that the delegation of Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia headed by its first hierarch had visited Russia last year and attended the three services celebrated by the patriarch, praying at them.
