Overview
- On December 25, the Moscow Patriarchate reported that Patriarch Kirill sent Christmas greetings to church leaders who celebrate on the Gregorian date.
- Named recipients included Pope Leo XIV, Catholicos-Patriarch Mar Awa III of the Assyrian Church of the East, Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II, Malankara Catholicos Vasiliy Mar Foma Matfey III, and Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al‑Rai.
- In his message, Patriarch Kirill wished the recipients good health, joy in the Nativity, and peace and well‑being for their flocks.
- Father Kirill Gorbunov, general vicar in Moscow’s Catholic archdiocese, said up to one third of worshippers at the cathedral’s December 25 service are Orthodox visitors attending out of interest.
- RIA Novosti notes that Catholics, many Protestants, and several Orthodox churches mark Christmas on December 25, while the Russian, Serbian, Jerusalem, Polish, and Georgian churches follow the Julian calendar with services on the night of January 6–7; the Czech Lands and Slovakia observe both dates.