The Rev. Alexander Rentel serves a memorial service in the seminary chapel, upon the repose of His Holiness Patriarch Aleksy II.

The community of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary offers condolences to the members of the entire Russian Orthodox Church upon the death of their primate, His Holiness Patriarch Aleksy II of Moscow and All Russia. This morning, December 5, 2008, Patriarch Aleksy II fell asleep in the Lord in his residence in suburban Moscow.

His Holiness received an honorary doctorate degree from St. Vladimir’s Seminary during a visit to the campus in November 1991—just one year following his enthronement to the Patriarchal See of Moscow—under the deanship of Protopresbyter John Meyendorff. Current seminary dean Archpriest John Behr had last met with His Holiness during an international theological conference held in Moscow in 2005, under the auspices of the The Synodal Theological Commission of the Russian Orthodox Church. His Holiness had opened the conference, and Fr. John had spoken at a plenary session.

Recalling His Holiness, Fr. John said, “I was impressed with his evident holiness and quiet dignity. His lifelong service to the church, and especially over the momentous past couple of decades, is an inspiring legacy.”

Today in the seminary chapel, immediately after the dismissal of Little Vespers, which begins at 5 p.m., the chapel clergy will serve the litya from the Panikhida for the newly departed patriarch.

May the memory of His Holiness, Patriarch Aleksy II of Moscow and All Russia be eternal!