Overview
- President Vladimir Putin attended a Christmas service in the Moscow region with servicemembers and their families, the Kremlin said.
- Patriarch Kirill led the Christmas liturgy at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and offered blessings for Putin, the government and the armed forces.
- The Kremlin published Putin’s Christmas telegram to Orthodox believers, extending greetings for the holiday.
- In the message, Putin lauded the Russian Orthodox Church and other Christian denominations for unifying society, preserving cultural heritage and guiding youth, and he highlighted their support for participants and veterans of the “special military operation.”
- Moscow officials said 534 churches and monasteries were open for the night and expected about one million worshippers, while Kirill’s video address emphasized Christ’s presence during difficult times.