Putin congratulates Orthodox Christians and Russian citizens on Easter

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Orthodox Christians and all Russians celebrating Easter with Christianity’s most important and joyful holiday, the Kremlin press office reported on Sunday.

In his congratulatory address, Putin said that “Easter gives joy and hope to millions of people, and inspires for good deeds and noble aspirations.”

He praised the role of the Russian Orthodox Church in maintaining civil peace and accord in Russia and developing inter-confessional and inter-ethnic dialogue.

Putin pointed out that “the Church incessantly cares about strengthening high moral and ethical ideals and family traditions in society and upbringing the younger generation.”

Early on Sunday, Putin attended the Easter service at the Moscow Christ the Savior Cathedral that was led by Russian Orthodox patriarch Kirill.