ORTHODOX PATRIARCH Alexy II of Moscow said he believed a rebirth of the Eastern Church in under way in Russia.
In his Christmas message he said: “Churches and monasteries are being built and restored. More and more children and adults are learning the truths of the faith.
“Partnership between the Church, state and various public organisations has been put on a firm footing. We continue to have difficult yet fruitful dialogue with nonOrthodox Christians, people of other religions and convictions.” There are now 681 churches and chapels in Moscow where in 1990 there were fewer than 40.