The message reads, in part:
“This bright, much-awaited holiday is dear to millions of people all over the world. It gives believers joy and hope and inspires good thoughts, deeds and actions. During the Christmas season we clearly feel with all our heart how important for us are parental, family traditions that are being handed down from generation to generation.
I should say that the Russian Orthodox Church and other Christian denominations in Russia play a tremendous creative role in uniting the people and in preserving our historical memory and unique cultural and spiritual heritage. Religious organisations make a meaningful contribution to strengthening the institution of the family, to educating young people and to affirming in society such intransient moral ideals and values as caring for one's neighbour, mercy and compassion, and support for those in need of help and attention. This multifaceted and much needed work deserves most profound recognition.
I wish Orthodox Christians and all Russian citizens celebrating Christmas good health and wellbeing.”
* * *
On Christmas night the President attended a service held in the Church of Great-Martyr Saint George the Victorious on Poklonnaya Hill in Moscow.
Participants in the special military operation, volunteers and their families, with whom Vladimir Putin had met earlier as part of various Year of the Family events, attended the service together with the President.
Later in the night, the President arrived to the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour to present his best wishes for the holiday to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia. At the request of Vladimir Putin, the Patriarch personally consecrated cross pendants to be delivered to commanders of force groupings performing particularly important missions in the zone of the special military operation.