The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Alexy II, died at the age of 79 last week of heart-related illnesses. Alexy II helped restore the moral authority of the Russian Orthodox Church following decades of repression under communism. President Dmitry Medvedev made an emotional televised statement from India, and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called the patriarch’s death a "great loss." But has Alexy’s policy of closely aligning the Church and the state been good for the Church and for Russia as a society? Has his rule contributed to religious tolerance and freedom to worship in Russia? Why would the Church want to be an international agent for the Russian government?
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