Russian President Vladimir Putin attended Christmas service at the Holy Face of Christ the Savior Church close to the venues for the Sochi Winter Olympics.
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev attended the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior along with his wife Svetlana.
The service at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior was attended by several thousand believers.
As the service began, Patriarch Kirill placed inside the church a shrine containing sacred relics brought from Mount Athos in Greece, believed to be the gifts of gold, Frankincense and myrrh presented by the Magi, or Three Wise Men to the Baby Jesus.
Christmas services will continue until Tuesday evening, and Church leaders will deliver their congratulations after the Great Vespers, to begin at 16:00 Moscow time.
The Russian, Jerusalem, Serbian and Georgian Orthodox churches, Athos monasteries, some Catholics and some Protestants celebrate Christmas on January 7 in line with the Julian calendar, while Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans and some Orthodox churches celebrate the feast on December 25.
Believers during the Christmas Service at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
Boy at the Christmas service at the St.Andrew Church in Vladivostok.
Christmas Service at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
Christmas service at the Holy Face of Christ the Savior Church in Sochi.
Vladimir Putin during the Christmas service at the Holy Face of Christ the Savior Church close to the venues for the Sochi Winter Olympics.
Choir of the Alexander Nevsky Convent in Yekaterinburg.
Girl during the the Christmas service at the Church of St. Peter and Paul in Kazan.
The Church of St. Peter and Paul in Kazan.
Christmas Service at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Kazan.
Source: RIA NOVOSTI
