In an Orthodox Christmas concept created to inspire people today and fuel his vision of modern-day Russia, President Vladimir Putin commended the Russian Orthodox Church on Saturday for aiding Moscow's soldiers fighting in Ukraine.

Putin's information was released by the Kremlin shortly after he attended an Orthodox Christmas Eve service alone in a Kremlin cathedral rather than joining other worshipers in a larger public celebration.

Putin made it clear in his concept, which was accompanied on the Kremlin website by a graphic of him standing right next to religious icons, that he saw the Russian Orthodox Church as a critical stabilizing force for modern society at a time he has framed as a historical clash between Russia and the West over Ukraine and other issues.

"It is deeply satisfying to be aware of the massive constructive contribution of the Russian Orthodox Church and other Christian denominations in uniting society, preserving our historical memory, educating youth, and strengthening family ties," Putin said.

"Church organizations prioritize... supporting our warriors who are part of an exclusive military operation" (in Ukraine). Such a massive, complex, and unquestionably selfless function deserves our undivided attention.

”On Friday, Putin purchase a 36-hour ceasefire for the celebrations, but Kyiv turned down it as Moscow’s ploy to obtain time and regroup and Russian and Ukrainian forces exchanged artillery fire after the announcement.

Several Orthodox Christians celebrate Xmas on Jan. 7, but the Russian Orthodox Church’s backing for Moscow’s war in Ukraine has angered quite a few Ukrainian Orthodox believers and splintered the worldwide Orthodox Church. Of 260 million Orthodox Christians in the globe, about 100 million are in Russia by itself and some of those people overseas are in unity with Moscow.

Others are strongly opposed, having said that, and reject Moscow’s assertion that its February 24 invasion very last year was a vital pre-emptive strike to protect its safety and that of Russian speakers in Ukraine.

Ukraine has about 30 million Orthodox believers, divided concerning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and two other Orthodox Churches, person of which is the autocephalous, or unbiased, Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

In a services on Friday, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow criticised Ukraine for cracking down on the branch of the Orthodox church with longstanding ties to Moscow. — Reuters