PUTIN GREETS ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS ON PASCHA
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Orthodox Christians and all Russian citizens on Easter, marking the resurrection of Christ, the Kremlin press service reports.
The president noted that "the great feast of Pascha evokes the best feelings in the hearts of millions of believers and unites them around the everlasting spiritual values of Orthodoxy and the centuries-old historic and cultural traditions of our people."
"And of course on this day of celebration I note the enormous creative role of the Russian Orthodox Church in affairs of education and charity, strengthening the moral foundations of society, and educating the younger generation. The church does much for resolving pressing social problems and preserving inter-ethnic and inter-religious peace in the country," the president's telegram says.
Putin added that this multifaceted, sought-after work deserves profound and sincere recognition. The president also gave holiday greetings to Patriarch Kirill, noting his role as head of the Orthodox church in the public life of the country. (tr. by PDS, posted 2 May 2016)
PUTIN AND MEDVEDEV ATTEND EASTER SERVICE IN CHURCH OF CHRIST THE SAVIOR
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and his wife as well as Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobianin attended the Easter service in the church of Christ the Savior, which was conducted by Patriarch of Moscow and all-Rus Kirill.
V. Putin regularly attends churches during the chief church feast days. On Pascha he usually is in Moscow, in the church of Christ the Savior, and Christmas, as a rule, he celebrates in churches outside of the capital.
On these church festivals, D. Medvedev always goes to the main church of the country.
By tradition, after midnight the patriarch and government leaders exchange Easter gifts. (tr. by PDS, posted 2 May 2016)
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