MOSCOW, January 7 (RIA Novosti) - Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II on Sunday congratulated Orthodox Christians with Christmas Day.
The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas Day on January 7, in line with the old Julian calendar. The Russian Orthodox Church believes that Christmas symbolizes reconciliation between God and Man, anticipating Christ's redemptive feat, as well as the renewal of man's nature that was corrupted by his sinful forefathers.
"It is especially important today to consolidate the family - this small home church, which has been and remains the foundation of any state and a guarantee of its prosperity at present and in the future," Alexy II said in a televised address.
