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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.
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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.
INTERNET SOURCE: https://sputniknews.com/russia/201701071049344678-patriarch-kirill-christmas-congratulations/
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.
INTERNET SOURCE: http://tass.com/society/923922
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