Russian Orthodox Patriarch Presents Putin with Easter Egg

Yesterday all of Russia celebrated Orthodox Easter. As the Gospel goes, the Easter Saturday is the day when the body of Christ, crucified the Friday before, lay in coffin. It is on this day that the Messiah descended to hell and through his own agony delivered the souls of all the suffering. Many of the Russians commemorate this day by going to the Easter mass and having their Easter pies blessed by priests. Yesterday Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Alexei II personally served the Easter mass at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour during which he presented Russian President Putin with an Easter egg, the symbol of life. 'We pray that the joy of Resurrection may help you serve your country for our Lord's glory,' the Patriarch said, adding that an egg was the symbol of life which, though still shelled, was bound to hatch one day.