The Kremlin and the Russian Orthodox Church now have a new gift for their war “heroes.” During the Orthodox Christmas celebration held by Patriarch Kirill on Monday, January 6, in Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that the most deserving fighters in the Ukrainian war will be decorated with military crosses blessed by Kirill himself – and engraved on the chains with Vladimir Putin’s initials. This gift will only be sent to “commanders performing complex tasks in the area of the ‘special military operation’ for the defense of the homeland.”
Kirill presented the crosses to Putin during the traditional Christmas mass, saying, “Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich! Here are the crosses, as well as the pectoral icons portraying the saint equal to the apostles, Grand Duke Vladimir, the founder of our state, the one who defended our homeland with a sword in his hands. Even today, he remains a symbol of the unification of the Russian territory. He is also your heavenly patron.” For the past three years, Kirill has regularly referred to the Russian president as “God’s miracle.” On this Christmas Eve, he wished him “God’s generous help in his responsible work for the good of Russia.”
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