|PIC1|The Russian Orthodox Church elected Metropolitan Kirill to be its new patriarch in a ballot at Moscow’s Christ the Saviour cathedral on Tuesday night.
Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad won 508 votes in a secret ballot at Moscow’s Christ the Saviour cathedral, defeating Metropolitan Kliment of Kaluga and Borovsk, who won just 169 votes.
The former head of the Church’s external relations department is the first patriarch to be elected in the post-Soviet era following the death of Patriarch Alexy II in December.
Metropolitan Kirill is a popular figure is on friendly terms with the Vatican and has met Pope Benedict several times. His election will be seen as a boost to reconciliation efforts between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches after 1,000 years of schism.
Widely regarded as a moderniser, some believe Kirill may bring about greater independence from the Kremlin than Alexy II, who during his leadership faced criticism that he had brought the Church too close to the state.
Kirill, 62, was elected behind closed doors by a 700-strong council of church leaders.
-
Orthodox Anglicans create new Communion that rejects leadership of Archbishop of Canterbury
-
Five reasons why I’m choosing to be hopeful about the new Archbishop of Canterbury
-
Nigerian Anglicans call Sarah Mullally's appointment as next Archbishop of Canterbury 'double jeopardy'
-
Canterbury Cathedral graffiti project is an act of 'suicide' for the Church
-
'Something is happening,' says Alpha founder Nicky Gumbel amid reports of a Quiet Revival in the UK
-
Church of England halts plans for standalone same-sex blessing services
Most Popular
News
The Bible is a firm foundation in an ever-changing mission field
There is a growing cultural moment of openness and curiosity with the spiritual realm, and Christianity in particular.
What should Christians say about immigration?
Christians must reject the simplistic slogans offered by those on both sides of the current immigration debate.
Lords seek to prevent abortion up to birth becoming law
Abortion up until the point of birth will effectively be legal in Britain if no changes are made.
Young Britons more hopeful than older generations about ending global poverty, survey finds
Young people are more likely to believe that global poverty can be eradicated, but this optimism declines sharply with age, a new study by Compassion UK has found.