Saturday, January 7, 2017

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM RUSSIA



  
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia is leading the Orthodox Christmas Eve mass in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.
On the night of January 7, Orthodox Christians celebrate one of the most important religious holidays – Christmas. Hundreds of thousands of people took part in holiday masses in churches across Russia.
Head of Russian Orthodox Church Congratulates Believers With Christmas Day
04:09 07.01.2017

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has congratulated Orthodox Christians with Christmas.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Patriarch Kirill congratulated Orthodox Christians after a midnight service at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow.


"With all my heart I congratulate you with the great life-saving holiday of Christmas. On this day, especially the believers feel the presence of God in their hearts," Patriarch Kirill said in the early hours of Saturday.


The Christmas mass at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour was attended by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in an Orthodox Christmas service at St. George’s (Yuriev) Monastery in the city of Novgorod.

Russia celebrates Christmas on January 7, which corresponds with December 25 of the older Julian calendar.

Putin congratulates Russians on Christmas

January 07, 13:20 UTC+3
The Russian president noted the huge and unique role of the Russian Orthodox Church and other Christian denominations in reviving high moral values and preserving rich historic and cultural heritage
MOSCOW, January 7. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Orthodox Christians and all Russians on Christmas celebrated according to the Julian calendar on Saturday, the Kremlin press service said.

"The Christmas days illuminate our life with special joy, wake the kindest feelings, and bring us to the spiritual origin and traditions. This is the time for good thoughts and deeds, sincere care about the near ones and those who need assistance and support," the president’s congratulatory telegram says.

The Russian president noted the huge and unique role of the Russian Orthodox Church and other Christian denominations in reviving high moral values and preserving rich historic and cultural heritage.

"They do a lot for harmonizing international and inter-religious dialogue, preserving civil peace and accord in this country. Such a great and constructive work deserves deep gratitude and respect," he said.

Orthodox Christians in Russia and other countries celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar on January 7, two weeks after most western Christian churches that use the Gregorian calendar. The Russian Orthodox Church today has more than 30,000 churches and 800 monasteries in almost 70 countries. Religious services are conducted during the night and in the morning in all Orthodox churches on all continents.

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