Memory Eternal...

I direct your thoughts today towards the Orthodoxie blog immediately to the right. The author (Fr Joseph Honeycutt) has it exactly right. Patriarch Alexei II of Russia was a true shepherd of the Orthodox Church, respecting its canonical norms and leading his Church "from glory to glory."

Because of his resolute stewardship, the Orthodox Church emerged from the rubble of the old Soviet state intact. As Fr Joseph says, neither retrograding to an imperialist past, nor adopting the fads and whims of the moment.

Some have accused the late patriarch of colluding with the old KGB, indeed being an agent of it. While some collusion was necessary, "by your fruits you shall know them." In no way could it be said of Alexei that he was not a true Christian shepherd. All you have to do is look at his record of accomplishment and you can see for yourselves the fruits of true Christian labor.

Let us pray that the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church elects as good and pious a leader. One who is sober, judicious, prudent, but not afraid of taking a stand, a man for our times. (May I suggest His Grace Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev of Vienna, Austria?)

May his memory be eternal.