Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised the Orthodox Church for its role in promoting patriotism among the young.
"The Russian Orthodox Church plays an enormous formative role in preserving our rich historical and cultural heritage and in reviving eternal moral values. It works tirelessly to bring unity, to strengthen family ties and to educate the younger generation in the spirit of patriotism," Putin said in his Easter message.
According to a Telegraph report, Putin delivered his statement at the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow in time for the celebration of the Orthodox Easter Vigil led by Patriarch Kirill. The Russian leader was joined by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and his wife Svetlana.
Putin credited Kirill for guiding the flock, especially in ensuring the revival of traditional moral values, and the enlightenment of the younger generation.
The Russian president, who some accuse of using the Church for his own purposes, also commended the Orthodox Church for steering the faithful in terms of protecting the family, consolidating society, and harmonising religious beliefs.
In a report by AsiaNews, Patriarch Kirill reminded attendees that Easter was an event of enormous spiritual power "that displayed the victory of good over evil, and of God's truth over the deceit of this world."
"Let us celebrate the victory of good over evil, which takes different forms, but always has one goal. If evil is not stopped at the global level, it will destroy life and human civilization," Kirill said.
The patriarch also urged the faithful to serve others selflessly and emulate the example set by the Saviour.
He said the feeling after being of service to others was incomparably more than what is paid as we are rewarded by the Lord himself, the Vestnik Kavkasa News Agency reported.
While many nations follow the Gregorian calendar in celebrating Easter, the Orthodox Church follows the old Julian calendar in celebrating the occassion.
