Aleksij II Ridiger

Aleksij II Ridiger, a notable figure in the Russian Orthodox Church, served as Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus' from 1990 until his death in 2008. He is remembered for his role in the church's revival in post-Soviet Russia and for fostering closer ties between the church and the state, as well as promoting the church's influence both domestically and internationally. His canonization efforts for various saints, including lesser-known figures, reflect the church's broader narrative of reconciliation and national identity.