Great feast of Easter brings joy and hope to millions of Christians - Putin

"The great feast of Easter brings joy and hope to millions of believers, introduces them to the sources of spirituality and traditions of forefathers," the presidential message says.

"The Russian Orthodox Church plays an enormous constructive role in preserving our rich historical and cultural legacy, in reviving unfading moral values. It takes tireless care of the unity of society, the consolidation of the family and the upbringing of the younger generation in the spirit of patriotism and civil duty," Putin notes.

"The Church does much for tackling pressing social problems, for strengthening ethnic and religious harmony in the country," the message says. "These strong, multifaceted efforts are is very important today and deserve the deepest recognition," it says.

Putin also sent greetings to the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill.

"It is pleasant to realize that under your leadership the Russian Orthodox Church directs its services to the revival of traditional moral values, the upbringing and enlightenment of the younger generation, the protection of the family, the mother and child, assumes an important mission of consolidating society, harmonizing religions relations and strengthening understanding between people," the message says.

Photo by the press service of Patriarch Kirill

interfax-religion.com