Moscow Patriarch Aleksy II has pushed for the merger (epa)
May 12, 2006 -- The New York-based Russian Orthodox Church Abroad has voted to rejoin the Moscow-based Russian Orthodox Church it severed ties with after the 1917 communist revolution.
A final decision is expected next week, when the branch's 11 bishops
will vote on the matter. Many church officials had been wary about embracing
the Moscow church, noting that many clergy collaborated with
the Soviet-era KGB secret police.
Regardless of the outcome, the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad is expected to keep administrative control over its more than
400 parishes worldwide, including in the United States, Germany, and Australia.
(AP)
will vote on the matter. Many church officials had been wary about embracing
the Moscow church, noting that many clergy collaborated with
the Soviet-era KGB secret police.
Regardless of the outcome, the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad is expected to keep administrative control over its more than
400 parishes worldwide, including in the United States, Germany, and Australia.
(AP)
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