METROPOLITAN KIRILL
 OF SMOLENSK AND KALININGRAD ELECTED NEW PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW




On the evening of January 27, 2009, the results of the election of the new Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia were announced. The Local Council (Ppmestny Sobor) elected His Eminence Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad as the head of the Russian Orthodox Church.




As reported by the Chariman of the Counting Commitee, His Eminence Metropolitan Isidor of Ekatarinograd and Kuban, 702 delegates to the Council participated in the secret balloting. Of the ballots, 677 were deemed valid, 23 were invalid.



Metropolitan Kirill received 508 votes, while His Eminence Metropolitan Kliment of Kaluga and Borovsk, Adminstrator of the Moscow Patriachate, received 169 votes.



The delegates to the Council applausded upon the announcement of the new Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church.

 
(Press Service of the Local Council/Patriarchia.ru   28/01/2009