Putin asks Russian Orthodox church patriarch to consecrate Christmas gifts for troops in Ukraine

euronews (in English)

Russia's invasion, which began in February 2022, has also been a source of religious controversy within the Eastern Orthodox Church and has driven a split among believers in both Russia and Ukraine.

Transcript

00:00Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with the head of the Orthodox Church, Patriarch

00:06Kirill, asking him to consecrate crosses and icons he prepared as gifts for commanders

00:11of troops fighting in Ukraine.

00:14Putin on Tuesday said he thinks the troops will be especially pleased to receive the

00:19symbols of faith as the Orthodox Church celebrated Christmas.

00:24The Patriarch then read a prayer and sprinkled holy water on the gift boxes.

00:31Patriarch Kirill, who oversees the Russian Orthodox Church, has portrayed the Ukraine

00:35war as part of a metaphysical struggle against the West and gay pride parades.

00:42Russians and many other Orthodox believers generally celebrate Christmas on January 7,

00:47while most Western countries observe it in December.

00:51Ukraine, which has had its own independent church since 2018, has moved its Christmas

00:56celebration to December 25.

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