Putin presides over the Mass for the Orthodox Easter Vigil and embraces the patriarch who supports his war

The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, has attended the Easter Vigil this Sunday in the Cathedral of Christ the Redeemer in Moscow, the largest Orthodox temple in the country. The religious service, which was broadcast live on television, was officiated by the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church that supports the war in Ukraine, Kirill.

In a dark suit, with a candle in his hand, the head of the Kremlin, accompanied by the mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyaninresponded with the traditional “He really is risen” to the patriarch’s words announcing that Christ has risen.

Putin has also taken advantage of this date to congratulate and highlight the work of the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, who came to ensure that sacrificing one’s life in Ukraine “washes away sins.” The cabinet of the Russian president, in fact, leaked a photo in which you can see how the Russian president greets the patriarch closely.

“For many years his wise word as a pastor has served to consolidate society, calls for mercy, goodness and justice, and helps people find spiritual support. Today, when we face serious challenges, this is particularly important,” he said.

The Orthodox Church celebrates Easter on the first Sunday after the full moon after the vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere. Due to this astronomical peculiarity, Orthodox Easter coincides with that celebrated by Western-rite Christians only every three or four years. According to a survey by the Levada Center, 71% of Russians declare themselves to be Orthodox, reports efe.

prisoner exchange

Ukrainian authorities announced the return home of 130 prisoners from Russian captivity as part of an exchange on the occasion of Orthodox Easter.

[“La táctica chechena”: así ha causado Ucrania 4.000 bajas rusas en dos semanas en Bakhmut]

“A great exchange of prisoners for Easter. We recovered 130 of ours. It happened in the last few days in various stages. Military, border guards, national guards, sailors and employees of the Special State Transportation Service,” he wrote in his account. from Telegram the president of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak.

Among those released are soldiers and officers captured on the fronts of Bakhmut, solder, Zaporizhia and Khersonhe added. “Ours are coming home. It’s Easter. The quintessence of this holiday is hope. This is exactly what the relatives of the prisoners who waited for them for so long felt,” Yermak said.

unwavering faith

Ukrainian President, Volodimir Zelenskyalso congratulated believers this Sunday on the occasion of Orthodox Easter, which Ukraine said it celebrates “with unshakable faith” in the victory against Russia, in a speech in which for once he abandoned his military attire to wear a traditional embroidered shirt .

[Así es la nueva ley de Putin: ningún hombre podrá escapar del servicio militar ni de la guerra]

“Today we celebrate the feast of the Resurrection of the Lord. His main symbol is victory: the victory of good, the victory of truth, the victory of life. We celebrate Easter with unshakable faith in the irreversibility of these victories,” he declared in a video distributed by the Presidential Office.

Zelensky recalled how in late winter last year, the Russian invasion brought “death, pain and darkness”, which however failed to weaken the Ukrainians’ desire for freedom and their willingness to defend their country.