Gorbachev pays tribute to Alexy II

Former USSR president Mikhail Gorbachev has called  the  death  of Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II a great loss  and  said  he  was convinced the patriarch's name would make
history.
     "I  am  grieving  together with all Orthodox believers and Russians over this  great loss. Patriarch Alexy II's selfless and active devotion will make history," Gorbachev said in a statement released on Friday.
     "He  was  among  those  few  who  were  aware of the need to revive spirituality  in our country, and he devoted his whole saintly life of a spiritual pastor to this great goal," Gorbachev said.
     "As  the  leader  of  the  Russian Orthodox Church, Alexy II was an example  of  respect  towards  all  confessions  in  our  multi-cultural country.  His  great  achievement  was  the reunification of the Russian Orthodox   church   and  the  development  of  an  equal  dialogue  with representatives  of  other  churches  and confessions of the world," the former USSR president said.
     Gorbachev  also  noted "His Holiness' great contribution to the law on the freedom of consciousness and religion drafted together with other confessional leaders during the perestroika era," he said.
     "Without  interfering  in  politics,  he  would  raise  his low but weighty  voice during difficult times in favor of social justice and the poor," the ex-USSR president said.
     Gorbachev  extended  his  condolences over the death of Alexy II to the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Interfax // 09.12.2008