90th anniversary of restoration of patriarchy marked

19.11.2007, 17.18

MOSCOW, November 19 (Itar-Tass) -- Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia, in the Dormition Cathedral of the Kremlin, paid tribute to the memory of all his predecessors on the 90th anniversary of the restoration of patriarchy in the Russian Orthodox Church. More than 100 hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church and of other Orthodox churches, who arrived in Moscow from various countries, were present at the celebration.

Alexy II said it is not by chance that the festivities are held in the “main temple of the capital - the Dormition Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.” “It is here that heads of our church worked over nearly four centuries and were interned here,” he said. “Recalling now this epoch-making event, we must realize that the restoration of patriarchy was not only the assertion of the economically correct church structure, but also the cause of the restoration of historic justice,” the patriarch said. “He said the existence of the institution of patriarchy is one of the conditions of preserving unity of the Church and the nation. “At all times, regardless of economic realities, the Church must bring peace to society, must strive for being the unifying element of entire society,” said Alexy II.

The prayer in memory of all Moscow primates, the prayer “Many Years” and the prayer for Russia protected by God sounded in the Dormition cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.

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