Merry Orthodox Christmas Celebrations in Russia

Orthodox Christians all across Russia flocked to cathedrals and churches during the late hours of January 6 to attend all-night vigils and masses celebrating the coming of one of the most important religious observances - Christmas.

Adherents of the Russian Orthodox Church, along with the followers of several other local churches, observe Christmas on January 7. Browse this gallery and see how this holiday is celebrated in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Simferopol, Kaliningrad, Grozny and other cities throughout the country.

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Nativity scene in a cathedral in Kazan.

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Russian Orthodox Christian Patriarch Kirill (L) seen during a midnight Christmas mass in the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow.

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© Sputnik / Vladimir Astapkovich

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Russian Orthodox Christian Patriarch Kirill (L) holds a midnight Christmas mass in the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a Christmas mass in a church in St. Petersburg.

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Christmas mass in a church in St. Petersburg.

6/23

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Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a Christmas mass in a church in St. Petersburg.

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Russian Orthodox Christian Patriarch Kirill (L) seen during a midnight Christmas mass in the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow.

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Parishioners at the the Savior Cathedral in Moscow prior to a Christmas mass.

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© Sputnik / Alexander Astafiev

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Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and his wife Svetlana attend a Christmas mass at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow.

10/23

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Priests at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow.

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Priests at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow perform a Christmas mass.

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© Sputnik / Vladimir Astapkovich

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Parishioners at the the Savior Cathedral in Moscow during a Christmas mass.

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© Sputnik / Vladimir Astapkovich

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Parishioners at the the Savior Cathedral in Moscow during a Christmas mass.

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Parishioners at the the Savior Cathedral in Moscow prior to a Christmas mass.

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© Sputnik / Alexander Polegenco

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Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky in Simferopol seen prior to Christmas celebrations.

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© Sputnik / Alexander Polegenco

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Christmas all-night vigil held at the Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky in Simferopol.

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© Sputnik / Alexander Polegenco

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Christmas all-night vigil held at the Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky in Simferopol.

18/23

© Sputnik / Alexander Galperin

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Christmas mass at the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

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Christmas mass at the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

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Christmas decorations at the Kazan Square in St.Petersburg, with Kazan Cathedral seen in the background.

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Christmas mass at the St. Michael the Archangel Church in Grozny.

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Candles at a cathedral in Kazan during Christmas mass.

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Christ the Savior Cathedral in Kaliningrad seen prior to Christmas celebrations.