President Valdas Adamkus expressed his condolences to the Russian Orthodox Church – the clergy, the monastics and the faithful – for the repose of Alexiy II, the Patriarch of Moscow and of All-Russia.

“Alexiy II headed the Russian Orthodox Church at a time of essential changes. The Church under his guidance liberated itself from the shackles of Soviet religious oppression and extended its pastoral and administrative work. The Russian Orthodox Church, led by Alexiy II, started to search its place in independent Lithuania, integrated into Lithuanian society, and emerged as an equal participant among Lithuania’s other traditional religious communities,” Mr. Adamkus wrote in his message of condolences.

President Adamkus said that the memory of such an eminent archpastor has far transcended the boundaries of the Russian Orthodox Church.