Alexander, Archbishop of Saratov and Volsk, deceased

Alexander, Archbishop of Saratov and Volsk, suddenly died of coronary deficiency on January 7. He was aged 63, reported the Orthodox Encyclopedia ecclesiastical scientific center on Wednesday.

Archbishop Alexander /in the world -- Nikolai Timofeyev/ was born in the village of Teikovo, Ivanovo region, in 1941. He was a student at the Moscow seminary and in 1971 graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy as Candidate of Theology.

In September 1986 he was ordained archbishop and in July 1995 was appointed archbishop of Saratov and Volsk.

Along with his service in the higher orders of clergy in the Saratov cathedra, Archbishop Alexander was rector of the Saratov seminary.

He was awarded church orders of St.Vladimir Equal to the Apostle (3rd degree), St.Sergius of Radonezh (1st and 2nd degrees), state Order of the Red Banner of Labor, as well as the Gold Medal of the Soviet Peace Fund, Gold Medal "Peace Champion" and the Medal "20th Anniversary of Victory over Fascist Germany."