Russian invasion
Putin at Easter service in Moscow
Signs of Easter: Putin has visited Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church. Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool AP/dpa
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A sign for Easter: Putin hands over a decorated Easter egg to the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill. He is considered an important supporter of Putin’s policies.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attended an Easter service in Moscow on Sunday night. According to tradition, he presented the Russian Orthodox Church leader, Patriarch Kirill, with a decorated Easter egg, the Tass news agency reported.
Patriarch Kirill has always backed Putin’s policies. He blamed the West for Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.
Putin only canceled his visit to the Easter service in Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral during the Corona crisis. Since the war began two months ago, he has rarely appeared in public.
Ukraine: Easter curfew
In Ukraine, meanwhile, there is a curfew on the Orthodox Easter Vigil, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recalled in his evening video address. Worship services could be attended from 5 a.m.
At the same time, Zelenskyi gave his compatriots hope of victory. It is only a matter of time before everyone in Ukraine will live safely in peace again. Russia seems stuck for years in the day between crucifixion and resurrection, “when death triumphs and God seems to have disappeared,” he said. But life will conquer death and evil will be punished. “Russia will have to learn these truths again, it’s only a matter of time.”