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Patriarch Kirill and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev exchange Christmas gifts

MOSCOW, January 07, 7:19 /ITAR-TASS/. Patriarch of Moscow and All-Russia Kirill and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev exchanged memorable gifts in the altar of the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior after the Christmas service had ended early on Tuesday, deacon Alexander Volkov, the chief of the patriarch’s press service, told Itar-Tass.

“The patriarch and the prime minister exchanged memorable gifts in the altar. Patriarch Kirill extended his Christmas greetings to Dmitry Medvedev and wished him to continue serving his Motherland with God’s help,” Volkov emphasized.

Medvedev presented a bouquet of white roses to Patriarch Kirill and congratulated the head of the Russian Orthodox Church on the Christmas holiday.

Dmitry Medvedev and his wife attended the Christmas service at the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

Most Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar on January 7, two weeks after most western Christian churches that abide by the Gregorian calendar.

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