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https://scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3205976/vladimir-putin-appears-alone-orthodox-christmas-eve-service-kremlin-cathedral
World/ Russia & Central Asia

Vladimir Putin appears alone at Orthodox Christmas Eve service in Kremlin cathedral

  • Putin was the only worshipper spotted in images from the Annunciation Cathedral in the Kremlin. Orthodox Christianity celebrates Christmas on January 6
  • The Russian president asked for a ceasefire in Ukraine to commemorate the celebration, but Kyiv rejected this
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, attends a Christmas service at the Annunciation Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin in Moscow, Russia on Saturday. Photo: Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin appeared alone at a church service to celebrate the Orthodox Christmas.

Photographs and video from the Annunciation Cathedral – one of five churches in the Kremlin – show the president as the sole worshipper at the service, appearing to avoid any of the public celebrations.

Orthodox Christians, followers of Russia’s main religion, celebrate Christmas Eve on January 6.

According to Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar’s essay in The New York Times newspaper, over the past few years, Putin has become so isolated that he has “completely lost interest in the present” and is “obsessed” with the past.

A lack of trust is a major component in the president’s isolation, said Zygar, writing that Putin’s aides have long tried to push the message that he is the “only person who can save Russia.” He now believes that so strongly he does not even trust the people around him.

Putin’s ceasefire offer to celebrate Orthodox Christmas rejected by Ukraine

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Putin’s ceasefire offer to celebrate Orthodox Christmas rejected by Ukraine

Putin has also reportedly become obsessed with health and germs as a result of the pandemic, trying hard to be socially distanced at all times. This has led to meetings with world leaders at 13-ft-long tables.

In a statement released on the Kremlin website, the Russian president thanked the Orthodox church, saying, “It is deeply gratifying to note the enormous constructive contribution of the Russian Orthodox Church and other Christian denominations in unifying society, preserving our historical memory, educating youth and strengthening the institution of family.”

Putin asked for a ceasefire in Ukraine to commemorate the celebration, but Kyiv rejected this. One of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s top advisers said the “‘Christmas truce’ is a cynical trap & an element of propaganda.”

Read the original article on Business Insider.