Berlin. The name of the new, recently elected Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church is Kirill I. On behalf of the New Apostolic congregations of Russia, District Apostle Helper Viktor Bezgans congratulated the new church leader on his appointment to the Patriarchate. In his letter, the Apostle paid tribute to the election of the new Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia - which is his official title - as an “important moment in the life of the Russian Orthodox Church”.

The new Patriarch, Kirill I (62) is the successor to Alexei II, who passed away in December. The New Apostolic Church also sent its condolences on the latter’s death (we reported). The Russian Orthodox Church is the largest national Orthodox Church in the world, with a membership of some 150 million believers.