MOSCOW, May 1 (RIA Novosti, Olga Lipich) - Patriarch of Moscow and All-Russia Alexy II congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Easter Holiday. The Russian President attended the Easter vigil service at the Christ the Savior Cathedral.Addressing the state officials who attended the service, the Patriarch expressed his wish that God would strengthen their determination "to serve the Motherland". "I heartily welcome the Russian President, who visited the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem several days ago and said a prayer near the Sepulcher for our country and all Russian citizens," the Patriarch underlined. "Today, you deliver us the blessing from the Sepulcher," Alexy II said.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, Head of Presidential Administration Dmitry Medvedev, Presidential Representative to the Central Federal District Georgy Poltavchenko and Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov also attended the vigil service.
During the service, the Patriarch also wished that the Great Victory celebration would unite the Russian people.
"This year, as 60 years ago, the Easter season coincides with the celebration of the Great Victory," Alexy II said.
"We must remember the great sacrifice made by the Russian people to achieve this victory," Alexy II underlined.
The remembrance of the Great Patriotic War has "an enormous educational significance especially for the young generation" that has never experienced war.
The Patriarch presented the state officials with Easter eggs and cakes.
