Orthodox Russians celebrate Easter with night service at Moscow Cathedral – Winnipeg Free Press

MOSCOW (AP) — Worshipers, including President Vladimir Putin, packed Moscow's landmark Cathedral of Christ the Savior for a nighttime Easter service led by Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church and an outspoken Kremlin supporter.

The traditional singing service began on Saturday evening, with Cyril's greetings to the Orthodox faithful broadcast on Russian television. A procession of white-robed priests then made their way around the sprawling cathedral, rebuilt in the post-Soviet era and seen as a symbol of Russia's rejection of its atheistic past, burning incense and singing a liturgy.

Most Western churches celebrate Easter on March 31, but the Russian Orthodox Church follows a different calendar.

On Easter, Cyril wished “God's blessing on Russia, its people and all countries where there is a church.”

In a written message posted on the church's website on Saturday, Cyril said, “Understanding God's love … gives us the strength to overcome the most difficult mental states and difficult situations, raises us above the hustle and bustle of everyday life, helps to correct past mistakes and removes despair.”

The patriarch appears to have avoided political statements this April, referring to Moscow's military actions in Ukraine, supporting the Kremlin's narrative of fictional Ukrainian statehood, and deploring the “severe events that are taking place in our historical land of Russia.”

The service, which includes a mixed-voice choir and worshipers holding thin red lanterns, will continue until Sunday.

Putin was shown standing next to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin among worshipers, as the two celebrated the traditional Easter holiday. Later, he was seen exchanging festive gifts with the Russian leader Kirill.