Christ is Risen in Russia - President Putin Wishes All Orthodox Christians a Merry Christmas
Putin wished a Merry Christmas to all Orthodox Christians. Per tradition, the President celebrated it outside Moscow. This time he came to the Church of St. Simeon in St. Petersburg — one of the oldest churches in the city. The head of state attended the service together with parishioners and brought a gift — an antique icon.
Alexey Petrov with the details.
A 47-meter belfry — the inimitable Peter's Baroque. The monumental Church of St. Simeon the God-receiver and Anna the Prophetess is filled with the anticipation of miracles and magic. One of the oldest churches of St. Petersburg reflects the history of the whole country. It was built by Empress Anna Ioannovna. In 1938 the church was closed, plundered, and turned into a warehouse. Services resumed only in the 90s.
Some come to pray on a regular basis and others are here for the first time.
Anna Zavyalova: "My mom told me that since my name's Anna, we should go to the Church of Anna the Prophetess".
On Christmas Eve, Vladimir Putin is one of the parishioners. Like many other believers, he lit a candle. This church is especially significant for Putin — it was here where his father was christened.
The President and those who care for our country are often mentioned in prayers.
Archpriest Oleg Skobli: “Our blessed Russian nation, our President, our people, our armed forces, and I. May God help bless all of us.”
The biography of Archpriest Oleg Skobli is an example of how inscrutable the ways of the Lord are. At one point in time, the priest was an actor who had starred in movies. Even after the ordination, he received a blessing and continued writing his poems and music.
His words warm the parishioners, who hurry to the church with their families during Christmas. Right here, with the Bible in their hands, they tell the kids about the coming of Christ.
- We tell them that one should always believe and that God is everywhere, he's in our hearts, he's omnipresent, in every good deed and kind word.
- What is Christmas for you?
- Well, it's when everyone rejoices.
- Christ was born, it's a holy holiday."
Vladimir Putin constantly attends services during major religious holidays. He traditionally celebrates Easter at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and tends to leave Moscow for Christmas. Sochi, Karelia, Tver, the Kostroma Regions, and even Yakutia. Last year, he visited the St. George's Monastery of Veliky Novgorod.
Christmas is a time of gift giving. Following tradition, this night, the head of state presented a XIX century icon to the old church.
Alexey Petrov, Pyotr Rovnov Oleg Makarov, and Oleg Shavylin Vesti, St. Petersburg.