President Vladimir Putin at Easter services at Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow 8 April 2007
Moscow, 26 April 2008 (Interfax):
President Vladimir Putin sent Easter greetings to all Orthodox Christians and to all Russians who are celebrating the bright festival of the Resurrection of Christ, the Presidential Press Service reported. “The Holy Easter is widely celebrated throughout Russia, bringing joy, love, and hope to millions of Christians. This holiday clearly shows that our ancestral traditions are important for our people, their intellectual values, and their ideals”, President Putin said.
“Today, it is gratifying to note, that the Orthodox Church and the other traditional Christian confessions of our country are not only an essential part of civil society, but, they are also an effective social force. Their work in education and enlightenment is directed towards strengthening the consciousness of all Russians by propagating high moral ideals, fortifying the authority of family values, and helping to solve pressing social problems”, Mr Putin emphasised. The president expressed his conviction that the state shall support in every possible way the positive activity of the traditional religions of Russia, and it shall work for the actualisation of the right of all Russians to freedom of religion.
President-elect Dmitri Medvedev also sent Easter greetings to all Russians. “The great holiday of Easter symbolises not only spiritual renovation, but, it is a celebration of high moral ideals. During these beautiful spring days, the hearts of our people are filled with a sincere love of neighbour, a desire to do good, and a resolve to bring help to those in need”, his message said, according to the Kremlin Press Service. According to Mr Medvedev, Russian Christians “work fruitfully in the field of education, participate in the implementation of social programmes, and they make a significant contribution to the strengthening of the traditions of friendly relations and mutual aid, and such activity deserves the deepest respect and support”.
Interfax-Religion
http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=24203 (in Russian)
