The President noted
that "the Russian Orthodox Church, other Christian denominations play a
large, positive role in the life of country.
MOSCOW, January 7.
/TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Orthodox Christians and
all Russian citizens celebrating Christmas, the Kremlin press service reported
on Monday.
"I cordially
congratulate you on Christmas. This wonderful holiday gives people joy and
hope, unites them around spiritual, moral values, traditions of charity. Folk
and family customs passed from generation to generation are connected to it.
Sincere faith in good changes and fulfillment of the most cherished
desires," the President’s telegram reads.
The President noted
that "the Russian Orthodox Church, other Christian denominations play a
large, positive role in the life of our country, take care of social harmony,
strengthen the institution of the family, educate the youth." They
"do a lot to solve pressing social problems, harmonize interethnic and
interreligious dialogue." Such fruitful and highly needed work deserves
deep gratitude and respect, the President stated.
He wished Orthodox
Christians, all citizens of Russia, celebrating Christmas, health, success and
prosperity.
Putin attended an
overnight Orthodox Christmas service on Monday at the Transfiguration Cathedral
in Saint Petersburg.
The service was held
by the Cathedral’s dean, Nikolai Bryndin. The Cathedral was full of believers
including many children. The service was also attended by Presidential
Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Northwestern Federal District Alexander Gutsan and
acting Governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov. The president attended the
service with other worshippers for half an hour, briefly spoke with Dean
Nikolai Bryndin and presented him and the Cathedral with the icon of Christ
Pantocrator as a Christmas gift. Bryndin in turn also presented the Russian
president with a Christmas gift.
As a rule Putin
leaves Moscow for Christmas, while on Easter he stays in the Russian capital
for a night-time service at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
Last year Putin went
to the Christmas service at the Church of Saints Simeon and Anna in Saint
Petersburg. In 2017 he attended the Christmas service at the Spassky (St.
Savior) Cathedral of the St. George’s Monastery in the city of Veliky Novgorod.
In 2016 went for the service at a rural Church near Voronezh. Before that he
twice attended Christmas services in Sochi.
Orthodox Christians
in Russia and other countries around the world are celebrating Christmas on
January 7, an event which 2018 years ago marked the beginning of the new history
of mankind.
Source: ITAR-TASS
07-01-2019
