To be sure, Kirill’s preferred brand of geopolitics — one he shares with Russian President Vladimir Putin — is geared toward reuniting the ancient Rus’ people of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) speaks with Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in Moscow on February 8, 2012. Kirill has said that Russia's nuclear weapons “saved” the country.

Kirill was born Vladimir Mikhailovich Gundyayev in Leningrad — now St. Petersburg — on Nov. 20, 1946. His elder brother, father, and grandfather were also priests. His grandfather spent time ...