Metropolitan Cornelius dies, bishop Lazarus to perform duties for now

Photo: Jaanus Lensment

Head of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Cornelius, passed away on Thursday at the age of 93 and until a new metropolitan has been elected, Narva and Peipsiveere bishop Lazarus will perform the duties of metropolitan.

The funeral service of Cornelius will take place on Sunday, at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Tallinn.

According to Russian Orthodox customs a new metropolitan will not be elected before 40 days have passed from the death of the previous metropolitan.

Metropolitan Cornelius, whose secular name was Vjatseslav Vassiljevits Jakobs, was born on June 19, 1924 in Tallinn.

In 1990-1992 he was the Bishop of Tallinn, in 1992-1995 the Bishop of Tallinn and all Estonia, in 1995-2000 the Archbishop of Tallinn and all Estonia, and as of 2000 the Metropolitan of Tallinn and all Estonia.

President Kersti Kaljulaid offered her condolences to the next of kin of Metropolitan Cornelius and to members of the Orthodox Church on Thursday.