Vladimir Putin and the patriarch of Russia’s Orthodox Church sent a rather unfriendly message to the West during their festive celebrations earlier today. The church, which celebrates Christmas on January 7 in line with the Julian calendar,

Russia's invasion, which began in February 2022, has also been a source of religious controversy within the Eastern Orthodox Church and has driven a split among believers in both Russia and Ukraine.Vi

The patriarch of Russia's Orthodox Church, celebrating Christmas alongside Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, said on Tuesday that the Western world despised Russia and its "alternative path of civilised development".

Since the start of his "special military operation" in February 2022, Putin has turned to religion and closed ranks with the head of the Orthodox Church to call out what he sees as the decline of Western morality.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent special Christmas gifts to commanders deployed in Ukraine, intended to salute their bravery and boost their morale. On Orthodox Christmas Day, Putin met with Patriarch Kirill,