SUZDAL, VLADIMIR REGION, JANUARY 6, 2004, /RIA-NOVOSTI CORRESPONDENT/ -- President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation travelled to the ancient city of Suzdal in the Vladimir region January 6, meeting regional governor Nikolai Vinogradov and Suzdal mayor Andrei Ryzhov there. Moreover, Putin visited a local monastery, the city kremlin, as well as one of the city's numerous ancient churches. (Suzdal, which is one of the most ancient Russian cities, is located 200 km from Moscow - Ed.) Putin stayed at Suzdal's Znamenskaya (Sign of the Cross) church tonight, attending a Christmas service there.
Dozens local residents spent several hours near the church entrance, braving minus 20-degree Centigrade temperatures, as they waited for the Russian leader to appear. Putin approached city residents after the service, congratulating them on Christmas Day. The people of Suzdal warmly greeted Putin, congratulating him, as well.
