Putin Attends Orthodox Easter Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin attended an Orthodox Easter service on April 20 at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, led by Patriarch Kirill, a staunch supporter of both Putin and the war in Ukraine. The late-night religious ceremony, central to Russia's Orthodox faith, took place just hours after Putin declared a unilateral Easter ceasefire—an act Kyiv dismissed as hollow, citing continued attacks on Ukrainian positions.

Putin, dressed in a dark suit and red tie, was seen holding a lit red candle and crossing himself as Kirill proclaimed, “Christ is risen.” The annual service is one of the most important events for Orthodox Christians and often reflects the close alignment between the Kremlin and the Russian Orthodox Church.

Patriarch Kirill used his Easter sermon to call for a “lasting and just peace” across “historical Rus,” a term referencing the ancient territory encompassing modern-day Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. He emphasized the importance of moral conduct, stating, “Do not do evil to others and do not treat others as you would not want to be treated.”

Kirill, who has consistently endorsed Russia’s military actions, reiterated themes of national unity and spiritual resilience. Despite the religious observance, the war in Ukraine—now in its fourth year—continues with devastating consequences. Since the invasion began in February 2022, tens of thousands have died, most of them Ukrainians, and millions have been displaced.

While the Easter ceasefire was framed by the Kremlin as a humanitarian gesture, Ukraine reported ongoing shelling and assaults, underlining the disconnect between Moscow’s symbolic moves and realities on the ground. The Orthodox Church's backing of the Kremlin further solidifies religion’s role in shaping Russia’s wartime narrative and national identity.