Putin sends Easter greetings to Russian Orthodox Christians

With Orthodox Easter celebrations commencing in Russia, President Vladimir Putin has sent greetings to the Russian Orthodox Christian community. His message of greetings reads, in part: "For millions of Russians, Easter is a bright and festive occasion, strengthening them on their life paths and evoking kindly feelings in their hearts. The [wide] Easter celebrations attest to the growing positive influence on society of the Orthodox Church and other traditional churches of Russia. The state has profound respect for their social, educational and peacekeeping activity, for their striving to maintain a civilized interdenominational dialogue. I believe it is only through joint effort, relying on our unique moral and cultural potential that we will be able to preserve and enrich the nation's spiritual wealth, turning Russia into a prosperous country."