MOSCOW, April 20, /ITAR-TASS/. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin greeted all Orthodox believers and all people in Russia, celebrating Easter.
“The Easter festivities fill hearts of millions of people with love and joy, inspire for good deeds, serve promoting in the society of the eternal values and moral guidelines as caring for people, mercy and compassion.”
“It is most important that nowadays the Russian Orthodox Church continues the ancient traditions of its responsible service, assists people in obtaining the belief, assists them in lives. The Church is doing a lot to harmonise the inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations,” the greeting reads.
Russia’s President has expressed appreciation to Patriarch Kirill for the support and common vision of the challenges this country is facing.
“In these festive days we note with pleasure that Christ's Easter is celebrated in Russia widely and solemnly, that every year more and more people are seeking to join the spiritual values ··and moral roots of Orthodoxy,” the greeting reads. “This is largely due to your wisdom, high authority and truly selfless work - for the benefit of the Russian Orthodox Church and the whole of Russia. I would like to express my deep appreciation for the support and vision of the problems this country is facing.”
“It is significant that this year's Easter is celebrated on the same day by the Orthodox believers and representatives of other Christian denominations. I am sure the celebration will promote social cohesion, harmonisation of inter-religious relations, enhancement of mutual understanding among people," Putin wrote in the greeting.