As his troops fight in Ukraine, Putin celebrates the first Orthodox Christmas since the raid began. The Kremlin boss thanks the church, which supports the war. Meanwhile, the festival is also celebrated in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has celebrated the first Orthodox Christmas since his army invaded Ukraine at the Kremlin compound. Photos and footage distributed by Russian state media show the 70-year-old standing in the Annunciation Cathedral in the presence of sacristans.
Putin, who ordered the war of aggression against the neighboring country more than ten months ago, said according to a Kremlin statement: “This bright, beloved holiday inspires people to good deeds and endeavors and serves to promote spiritual values and moral guidelines that are imperishable in society as affirming mercy, compassion, goodness and justice.”
The Kremlin chief also thanked the Russian Orthodox Church for its role in society. Its influential leader, Patriarch Kirill, an ardent supporter of the war against Ukraine that has already killed thousands of civilians and injured many more.
Since the fall, the Russian army has also been targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which is why many people are temporarily or permanently without heating, electricity and water supplies during the cold season. Against this background, many observers see a unilateral Christmas ceasefire ordered by Putin as a cynical propaganda gesture. Officially, the Russian cease-fire was supposed to last until 10:00 p.m. CET tonight, but continued hostilities have been reported.
Putin is considered more and more isolated. Two weeks ago, the “Wall Street Journal” reported that his environment shielded him from bad news. In addition, his circle of advisors has continued to shrink and Putin has become increasingly paranoid.
Meanwhile, the new Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Kyiv held its first Christmas mass at the famous Pechersk Lavra. Several hundred believers, dozens of journalists and Minister of Culture Olexander Tkachenko accepted the invitation to the service in the Assumption Cathedral. The service was also broadcast live on Ukrainian television.
By the end of 2022, what is arguably Ukraine’s most important cathedral had been used by the competing Ukrainian Orthodox Church. However, their usage contracts for two main churches of the ten places of worship in the cave monastery, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, were then not extended. The church, which has long been associated with the Moscow Patriarchate, criticizes the process as illegal.
The orthodox churches in Ukraine – as well as in hostile Russia – do not celebrate Christmas until January 7th. In order to sever ties to Moscow, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine was founded in 2018 with state help. In addition to this church, which is assigned to the Patriarchate of Constantinople (Istanbul), there are two larger churches that follow the Orthodox rite and several smaller ones.