Russian Orthodox Church leader says nothing prevents rapprochement between ROC and ROCOR

The delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR), which is currently in Russia on the first ever official visit, attended a service at the Archangel Cathedral in Moscow's Kremlin Friday. The Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, Alexis II, held a solemn service at the Archangel Cathedral to mark Archangel Michael's day, who is a most revered saint in orthodoxy.

The ROCOR delegation is composed of Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany, Archbishop Hilarion of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand and Bishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America.

"Today we are happy to welcome the delegates of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, who were praying with us. We are happy to take the road to the unity of church after many decades of schism," His Holiness Patriarch Alexis II said after the service.

He emphasised that he saw no obstacles whatever to the rapprochement of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia.

Russia has re-gained religious freedom and has, therefore, all conditions to embark on the unification process.

The ROC leader extended regards to Metropolitan Laurus of the ROCOR and said he wanted to discuss further steps towards the two churches' rapprochement with him.

His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus is expected to pay a visit to Russia in January.