Orthodox Church Leaders to Elect New Patriarch

Senior members of the Russian Orthodox Church on Sunday voted for three candidates. They included the church's interim leader, as potential replacements for former Patriarch Alexy II, who died last month. Church leaders chose them in a secret ballot Sunday in Christ the Savior's Cathedral. A final choice will be made by before a weekend enthronement. The Bishop's council chose 4 candidates. It will be the first election of a patriarch since the Soviet breakup and comes as the church is enjoying unprecedented popularity and close ties to the Kremlin. Their church is not like ours are here in America.