Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II dies at 79
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II died Friday at age 79, the church headquarters said.
Moscow Patriarchate spokesman, father Vladimir Vyazemsky said he died at his residence outside Moscow, but did not give a cause of death.
Alexy II has headed Russian Orthodox Church since 1990. Born Alexei Ruediger, he had ethnic ties to Germany and the Baltic region.
Alexy II had long suffered from a heart ailment.
Moscow Patriarchate spokesman, father Vladimir Vyazemsky said he died at his residence outside Moscow, but did not give a cause of death.
Alexy II has headed Russian Orthodox Church since 1990. Born Alexei Ruediger, he had ethnic ties to Germany and the Baltic region.
Alexy II had long suffered from a heart ailment.
