Russian President Vladimir Putin has celebrated Orthodox Christmas with the wives and children of soldiers who have lost their lives in the Ukraine conflict, according to the Kremlin’s official website.
Putin had a lengthy meeting with the families at his Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on Saturday evening and had dinner with them. Afterwards, they attended the Christmas service at the local church.
Christmas is one of the “warmest” and “most beloved” holidays in Russia, the president told his guests.
On January 7, Russian Orthodox Christians, who constitute the majority of the country’s population, offer greetings to each other as well as representatives of other faiths, and receive greetings from them, he said. “One can safely say that this holiday is characterized by a strongly-pronounced fraternal unity of the peoples of Russia.”
The president stressed that “many of our men, our courageous, heroic men, Russian warriors, even now, on this holiday, defend the interests of our country with arms in hand.”
He added that the meeting at Novo-Ogaryovo should serve as a “clear signal” to officials at all levels that the relatives of those who die fighting for the country should receive help whenever they need it.
“Now, on the eve of the holiday, I’m not going to talk about the very subtle, difficult issues concerning your families. But I want to assure you once again that we will always be by your side,” the president told the families.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the relatives of the fallen heroes spent the New Year’s holiday week in Moscow, where a special program, which included exhibitions, shows, and other events, was organized for them.
Orthodox Christmas is vivid example of fraternal unity of peoples of Russia — Putin
"We can say without any exaggeration that this holiday is characterized by a distinct fraternal unity of the peoples of Russia," Putin said
Russian President Vladimir Putin received families of fallen soldiers in the special military operation at his presidential residence in Novo-Ogaryovo outside Moscow and congratulated his guests with Orthodox Christmas.
"We can say without any exaggeration that this holiday is characterized by a distinct fraternal unity of the peoples of Russia," Putin said adding that although the majority of Russia’s population is comprised of Orthodox Christians, representatives of other traditional confessions congratulate them with this holiday just like Orthodox Christians congratulate them on their respective religious holidays.
"I congratulate you all with this warm and heartfelt holiday," the president said speaking to his guests.
Putin pointed out that the Orthodox Christmas in Russia is celebrated as widely as the New Year.
"Perhaps, it [Christmas] is more of a family-like holiday if compared to the New Year," he said. "I may reiterate that it [Christmas] is a warm, cuddly and heartfelt holiday. It is one of the most favorite holidays in Russia."
According to him, "on this day you want to say something special to each other, to support each other somehow."
The Russian president noted that "even on this holiday many of our courageous and heroic men, Russia’s warriors, hold weapons in their hands defending the country’s interests. This is why I want to extend holiday greetings to them jointly with you."
Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that on the eve of the holiday Putin had "a fairly thorough conversation with the families, talked to both widows and children" in Novo-Ogaryovo, and afterwards invited them to a festive dinner.
Putin and his invited guests attended an overnight Orthodox Christmas service at the Church of the Image of the Savior, located at his presidential residence in Novo-Ogaryovo.
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