"Today we lost one of the world's most inspiring, influential, and respected religious leaders, Aleksy II, patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church.  Aleksy led the church through an historic period of change, healing old wounds and uniting old divides.  He offered spiritual guidance to millions of people around the world, including more than 100,000 in the New York area.  His Holiness visited New York City twice, in 1991 and 1993, and brought the Russian Orthodox community here together - an impact that will be felt for generations to come.  I want to extend my sincere condolences to the Most Reverend Mercurius, Bishop of Zaraisk and Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States.  My thoughts and prayers are with him and the entire Russian Orthodox community during this difficult time."