Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Orthodox Christians and Russian citizens on Christmas, the Kremlin press service revealed on Friday.
Putin attended a midnight service on the occasion of Orthodox Christmas at the Church of the Saviour of the Holy Face in Novo-Ogaryovo, his official residence on the outskirts of Moscow.
The president believes that Christmas is one of the main and most beloved Christian holidays that has a special moral meaning.
"By uniting people around high spiritual ideals and values, it [Christmas] fills hearts with joy and bright hopes, inspires new achievements. And of course, this holiday is associated with good family traditions passed down from generation to generation", the message said.
Moreover, Putin highlighted "the enormous creative, truly selfless contribution to the preservation of our richest historical, patriotic, and cultural heritage, to the strengthening of the institution of the family and the upbringing of young people", which the Russian Orthodox Church and other Christian confessions in Russia are making.
"Their interaction with state and public organizations is developing, interreligious dialogue is improving, great attention is paid to social service, charitable and educational initiatives. Such an important, multifaceted activity is worthy of sincere recognition", he added.
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