Putin celebrates Christmas in the Church of St. George the Victorious in Moscow, Russia
- Новости
- Society
- Putin celebrates Christmas in the Church of St. George the Victorious in Moscow, Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin celebrates Christmas in the Church of St. George on Poklonnaya Hill in Moscow.
The Russian leader annually attends church services on Christmas Day. Thus, since 2000, Putin has met Christmas four times in St. Petersburg, three times in the Tver region, and four times in Moscow.
On the night of January 7, the Christmas patriarchal service beganin the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Izvestia is broadcasting the event live. The service is conducted by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
Christmas is an important holiday for Christians of all denominations, because it marks the beginning of Christ's earthly life. The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates it on January 7, while the Western Church and a number of local Orthodox churches celebrate it on December 25. Discrepancies in dates arise because the Orthodox use the Julian ("old style") calendar, while Catholics and Protestants use the Gregorian system.
