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→Episcopal career
On 6th December, 2008, the day after the death of [[Alexei II (Ridiger) of Moscow|Patriarch Alexei II]] (1990-2008), the Holy Synod elected him ''Locum tenens'' of the Patriarchal throne.
On 9th December, 2008, during the funeral service for Patriarch Alexei II in the [[Cathedral of Christ the Saviour (Moscow)|Christ the Saviour Cathedral]], which was broadcast live by Russia's state TV channels, he was seen and reported to have fainted at one point.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE4B822020081209 Russians bid farewell to Patriarch at grand funeral, Reuters, December 9, 2008, accessed 2008-12-09}}]</ref>
On December 29, 2008, when talking to journalists, he said he was "categorically opposed to any reforms" of a liturgical or doctrinal nature in the Church.<ref>[http://en.rian.ru/russia/20081229/119215944.html Russia's prospective church leader says opposed to reforms], RIA Novosti, December 29, 2008.</ref>
