Callam expresses regret at passing of Russian Orthodox leader

Baptist World Alliance General Secretary Neville Callam has sent a letter of condolence to the Russian Orthodox Church upon the death of Alexy II, the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow and All of Russia.

Alexy, who died on December 5 at age 79, was buried on December 9.

“It is with deep regret that the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) has learned of the loss suffered by the Russian Orthodox Church with the passing on December 5 of His Holiness Alexy II,” Callam wrote to Metropolitan Kirill of the Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The BWA General Secretary met the Russian Orthodox leader on his trip to Moscow in June. In speaking of that meeting, Callam declared that the patriarch “impressed many by his profound Christian faith, his unwavering commitment to the church,” as well as his “strong stance against the encroachment of secularism, the dangers of which he identified with great clarity.”

Callam, who was joined by leaders of the Russian Baptist union in his meeting with the most prominent Christian leader in Russia, stated, “I remember, with satisfaction, his call during our meeting, for continued collaboration between Orthodox and Baptist Christians in ongoing discussions on matters of moral import for the people of the Russian Federation.”

“We mourn the loss of such an outstanding leader of world Christianity, and pass on to you the prayers and good wishes of Baptists from all over the world,” Callam said in his letter to Metropolitan Kirill.

Photo: Alexy II, Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow and All of Russia and BWA General Secretary Neville Callam at a meeting in June 2008.