Alexy II, Patriarch of Moscow and head of the Russian Orthodox Church, has congratulated the Patriarch-elect of the Romanian Orthodox Church - BOR, Daniel, head of the Metropolitan Church of Moldova and Bucovina, for his election as head of BOR on Wednesday.

Alexy II is quoted by Regions.ru as hoping in a stronger collaboration between the two Churches and promises to send a top representative of the Moscow Patriarchy at the official ceremony installing Daniel as head of BOR.

Metropolitan Kiril, head of foreign relations for the Russian Orthodox Church, is quoted as saying that it hoped “firmly” that “a new period” will open in the life of the Romanian Patriarchy for a good relations and understanding between the two Churches.

Daniel, seen as a reformist within the Church, was elected head of BOR in a Wednesday vote that pitched him against traditionalist Bartolomeu. The election took place as Patriarch Teoctist of BOR died this summer.