1.0Beliefnet Newshttps://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/newsnsymmondshttps://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/news/author/nsymmondsInterim Russian Orthodox Leader Chosen After Alexy's Deathrich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="hgaErETiO6"><a href="https://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/news/2008/12/interim-russian-orthodox-leade">Interim Russian Orthodox Leader Chosen After Alexy’s Death</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/news/2008/12/interim-russian-orthodox-leade/embed#?secret=hgaErETiO6" width="600" height="338" title="“Interim Russian Orthodox Leader Chosen After Alexy’s Death” — Beliefnet News" data-secret="hgaErETiO6" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">
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(RNS) Metropolitan Kirill, the Russian Orthodox leader of the provinces of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, has been chosen as the interim leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, following the death Friday (Dec. 5) of Patriarch Alexy II. Kirill, 62, was chosen by secret ballot by the Holy Synod, a ruling group of 12 senior clergy who…