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The
Kremlin issued Putin's message after the Russian leader attended
an Orthodox Christmas Eve service on his own inside a Kremlin
cathedral rather than joining other worshippers in a public
celebration.
In his message, accompanied on the Kremlin website by an image
of him standing before religious icons, Putin made it clear he
saw the Russian Orthodox Church as an important stabilising
force for society at a time he has cast as a historical clash
between Russia and the West over Ukraine and other issues.
"It is deeply gratifying to note the enormous constructive
contribution of the Russian Orthodox Church and other Christian
denominations in unifying society, preserving our historical
memory, educating youth and strengthening the institution of
family," said Putin.
"Church organisations prioritise ... supporting our warriors
taking part in the special military operation (in Ukraine). Such
massive, complex and truly selfless work deserves sincere
respect."
On Friday, Putin ordered a 36-hour ceasefire for the
celebrations, but Kyiv rejected it as Moscow's ploy to buy time
and regroup and Russian and Ukrainian forces exchanged artillery
fire after the announcement.
Many Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7, but the
Russian Orthodox Church's backing for Moscow's war in Ukraine
has angered many Ukrainian Orthodox believers and splintered the
worldwide Orthodox Church.
Of 260 million Orthodox Christians in the world, about 100
million are in Russia itself and some of those abroad are in
unity with Moscow.
Others are strongly opposed, however, and reject Moscow's
assertion that its Feb. 24 invasion last year was an essential
pre-emptive strike to defend its own security and that of
Russian speakers in Ukraine.
Ukraine has about 30 million Orthodox believers, divided between
the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and two
other Orthodox Churches, one of which is the autocephalous, or
independent, Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
In a service on Friday, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow criticised
Ukraine for cracking down on the branch of the Orthodox church
with longstanding ties to Moscow.
(Reporting by Andrew Osborn Additional reporting by David
Ljunggren; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Tomasz Janowski)
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