Soviet Church Urged to Oust Aged Patriarch

MOSCOW —  Six religious activists said today they had appealed to the Russian Orthodox Church to replace Patriarch Pimen, the 78-year-old church leader who they say is senile and in poor health.

The Rev. Gleb Yakunin announced at an informal press conference in Moscow that he and other religious activists had sent a letter to Pimen’s office asking that he step down.

“I doubt he will leave of his own accord,” Yakunin said. “But we sent the letter with the hope that those around him who assist him in carrying out church duties will be able to influence him.”

Removal of a church leader would be unprecedented, he acknowledged. The patriarch is appointed by the church synod, or governing body.

Activists have long criticized the church leadership for being too closely associated with the government, which is officially atheist.

Religious activist Andrei Bessmertny said Pimen rarely appears in public. His crucial role as liaison between the church and the government is filled by an unknown cast of supporters, he said.

“He has been seen by foreign visitors to ask his deacons where he should go and what he should do,” Bessmertny said. “He has to be led around like a very old man.”