The Russian Orthodox Church held its main midnight Christmas service at Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow on Wednesday evening, officiated by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, His Holiness Kirill. The Russian Patriarchate’s ecclesiastical year is based on the Julian calendar.
Among others, His Holiness called on the faithful to pray for the speedy recovery of patients suffering from the coronavirus and for the strengthening of medical staff on the frontlines of the pandemic.
He stated: “The peoples of the world have been going through difficult trials due to the new disease. The hearts of the people are full of fear and anxiety for the future, and, therefore, it is important to reinforce the synodal and private prayer and to show the Lord through our good deeds that we have been working hard,” while adding: “…The spirit of humans cannot be broken with problems provided that one remains steadfast in his or her faith and relies on God.”
