New Russian Patriarch will be elected on January 27-29

Moscow, December 10, Interfax - The Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church will be convened on January 27-29, Patriarchal Locum Tenens Metropolitan Kirill told the press after a meeting of the Holy Synod on Wednesday.

"The Divine Liturgy will be conducted in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior on January 25 after which the first session of the Bishops' Council will be held which in line with the charter of the Russian Orthodox Church precedes the Local Council," he said.

New Patriarch's enthronement set for February 1

Moscow, December 10, Interfax - The enthronement of the new Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia will take place on February 1, 2009, patriarchal locum tenens Metropolitan Kirill said after the Synod meeting in Moscow on Wednesday.

Preparations for the enthronement of the new Patriarch, who will be elected by on January 27-29, will be done on January 30-31, he said.

The enthronement of the new Patriarch is expected to be held in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Metropolitan Kirill said