Patriarch Kirill consecrated crosses for servicemen in the NWO zone
Russian President Vladimir Putin after the Christmas service in the Church of Great Martyr George the Victorious on Poklonnaya Hill in Moscow went to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, where Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia at his request consecrated crosses and icons for servicemen in the Special Military Operation (SMO) zone. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told RIA Novosti on January 7.
Putin congratulated the patriarch on Christmas and asked him to consecrate the body crosses and icons that were laid out on the altar of Christ the Savior Cathedral.
"I think our comrades will be honored to receive these symbols of faith consecrated by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia during the festive service on Christmas night," Peskov relayed the president's words.
The Russian leader told the patriarch that he would give the crosses and icons to the commanders of the troops, who perform especially important tasks to ensure the security of the country during the special operation.
Dmitry Peskov noted that Putin asked that the president's initials be engraved on the individual links of the chains to the crosses.
Putin also pointed out the beauty of the crosses and icons with the image of St. Prince Vladimir, which will be handed over to the soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
On the night of January 7, the Christmas patriarchal service began in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Izvestia is broadcasting the event live. The service is conducted by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
This night Putin met the feast of Christmas in the Church of St. George the Victorious 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.
Christmas is an important holiday for Christians of all denominations, as 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.
