Russia celebrated the bright holiday of Christmas with prayer in the temple
All churches were inspected before the beginning of the Christmas services. Photo: press service of the RF Ministry of Defense
Millions of Russian citizens spent that night in the church with prayer. Even the entire leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense took part in the Christmas divine service, which took place in the Chapter of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, erected in the Moscow Region. Servicemen and civilian personnel of the department, their families also gathered at the temple.
Christmas service at the Main Church of the Russian Armed Forces. Photo: press service of the RF Ministry of Defense
More than 30 thousand employees and military personnel of the Russian Guard monitored safety and public order all night. All churches were inspected before the beginning of the Christmas services.
Servicemen could also be seen among teenage children in the church of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir (the main church of the Russian Guard in Balashikha). Servicemen and employees of the National Guard troops, who had a day off, their relatives and friends, as well as residents of the city of Balashikha, came to the all-night service there.
Servicemen, civilian personnel of the department, their families came to the temple. Photo: press service of the RF Ministry of Defense
The temple had a nativity scene, symbolizing the place where Christ was born. With the end of the service, a lighted candle was solemnly brought out to the icon of the Nativity of Christ as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem.
Millions of Russian citizens spent that night in the church with prayer. Photo: press service of the RF Ministry of Defense
The parishioners listened to the Christmas message of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and the sermon of Archpriest Maxim Blekov. In it, the priest said that the past year “will be remembered for all the difficult tests that showed the fragility and vulnerability of the modern world.” The rector of the church wished all the parishioners peace, kindness and family prosperity.