MOSCOW, January 22, 2009. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data on what meaning the patriarch have for Russians, which traits he should have, who of Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) hierarchy do the respondents know and who they forecast to become a new patriarch. 

First of all, for almost half of Russians (48%) the patriarch of ROC is a spiritual leader, moral advisor of Russian nation. Those who hold such opinion are mostly adults aged 60 and above (52%) and Orthodox Church adherents (57%). Approximately third of respondents (30%), first of all, see him as leader of one of confessions – those Russians who think so are often aged from 35 to 44 (33%) and believers outside any of confessions (40%).  Another 8% point out that patriarch for them is a prominent statesman, a member of a supreme power of the country. 15% were undecided. 

Russians believe that patriarch should be educated and smart (14%), benevolent, kind, soulful, sympathetic, compassionate (12%). 11% think that he should be, first of all, honest, another 10% would like to see him a spiritual leader, an advisor, an ideal to follow. Those who point out such characters as being pious, saintly, of high morality, spiritual and deep believer are 9% for each group; love for people and humanity - 5%. This is followed by care for people, justice, honesty (4% for each), authority, influence and being close to people (3% for each), wisdom, sobriety, tolerance, communicative and organization skills (2% for each). “Not to intervene in politics”, responsibility, leadership skills, diplomacy and purposefulness (1% for each) close the list. 44% were undecided.  

Most Russians (69%) cannot name active ROC hierarchs. Most frequently Metropolitan Kirill comes to their mind (28%), rarer - names like Aleksy I, Aleksy II, Vladimir and so on (1% for each) are being brought up. 

According to the forecast made by Russians, it is Metropolitan Kirill who might be the next patriarch - 28% of respondents think so, especially Orthodox adherents (34%).  Anyway 71% of Russians were hard to guess who will take Aleksy`s ll seat, moreover, the biggest share of such respondents is among Islam adherents and those who fluctuate between belief and unbelief (90%). 

The initiative Russian opinion poll was conducted on December 6 and 7, 2008. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia.The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%. 

    Обращаем Ваше внимание: при использовании материалов сайта www.wciom.ru или рассылки ВЦИОМ, ссылка на источник (или гиперссылка для электронных изданий) обязательна!