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Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexii II led the service at Christ the Saviour Cathedral.

Following the first part of the service, Mr Putin presented the Patriarch with the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God. The icon was taken out of Soviet Russia in the 1920s and auctioned in London in the 1980s. It was recently repurchased and returned to Russia. As he handed over the icon, Mr Putin said that the state authorities would continue to help the Church return sacred property that had been lost and restore ruined monasteries and churches. “We will persevere in gathering bit by bit all that can be saved and returned to our country”. Mr Putin said. The Patriarch in return thanked the President and wished him God’s aid in serving the Russian people.

Also attending the midnight Easter service were Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Sobyanin and Mayor of Moscow Yury Luzhkov.

On Easter Sunday, the President sent his congratulations to all Orthodox Christians and all citizens of Russia celebrating the Easter holiday. Mr Putin also sent a telegram of congratulations to the Patriarch.