Photo credit: verouchenie.com
Patriarch Kirill congratulated the worshippers of the Russian Orthodox Church on Christmas, the ROC website reports. In a traditional letter to believers, he expressed confidence that a miracle that happened more than two thousand years ago, today fills our souls with unspeakable joy.
According to him, now difficult times have come for the church, it is under tremendous pressure. Storms of discord and contradiction rock the united ship of the Church, the head of the ROC explained.
On the eve of the holiday, the patriarch called on everyone to think about their actions, abandon the "burden of passion" and pray for the "multiplication of love."
The head of the ROC in his message called Christmas the most important event in human history. He advised to visit relatives, parents and friends and thank them for their good deeds.
Pope Francis also congratulated Orthodox and Catholic believers on Christmas. “We wish them and their communities light and peace of Christ the Savior,” the head of the Roman Catholic Church said.
Russkiy Mir
reported that the Christmas Eve is celebrated on January 6 by believers of the ROC. By tradition, Patriarch Kirill led the morning service in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
An hour before midnight, the head of the ROC will begin the Christmas service. Services will be held on the night of January 7 and tomorrow morning in more than thirty thousand Orthodox churches around the world. Some other Orthodox churches are beginning to celebrate Christmas today.
Russkiy Mir
