The Russian Orthodox Church has offered to restore ecumenical relations with the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh and other conservative dioceses.

The church, the largest of the Eastern Orthodox churches with an estimated membership of as many as 80 million, ended all ecumenical contact with the Episcopal Church following the consecration of openly gay Bishop V. Gene Robinson in 2003.

But Pittsburgh Bishop Robert W. Duncan Jr. is moderator of the Anglican Communion Network, which represents about 200,000 Episcopalians who disagree with recent actions of the Episcopal Church, including Bishop Robinson's consecration.

Pittsburgh is among several member dioceses that has requested alternative oversight since the June election of Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori as presiding bishop. The Rt. Rev. Jefferts Schori has approved same-sex blessings in her home diocese of Nevada.

A letter delivered Monday to Pittsburgh diocesan officials from Metropolitan Kirill, chairman of the Russian Orthodox Church's Department of External Church Relations, stated that the church "supports your act and expresses willingness to restore relations with your diocese."

Bishop Duncan sent a letter yesterday back to the metropolitan, asking if the church's recognition would be impeded because some conservative dioceses ordain women.