Patriarch Alexiy II supports Russian authorities

Patriarch Alexiy II of Moscow and all Russia supports "all the actions of the state and Moscow authorities aimed at releasing the hostages," but at the same time calls for "maximum caution" lest they should provoke explosions and death.

On Friday during a liturgy at the rebuilt church of the Exultation of the Cross of the Jerusalem Stavropigialny nunnery in the Moscow region, the Head of the Russian Orthodox Church, clergymen and the congregation offered up prayers for the hostages who are held by the terrorists in Moscow.

The Patriarch stressed that "all our fellow countrymen should brace up and not give way to panic, because the terrorists aim at spreading panic." "We all must be sure that good always takes the upper hand," said his Holiness Alexiy II.

"Since the day it all started we have been praying to God to lend people courage and strength to survive the ordeal that befell them," he stressed. "Not only our country, but the entire international community condemn this terrorist attack directed against peaceful people."