Putin Attends Orthodox Easter Service Amid Skepticism Over Ukraine Ceasefire
Moscow, Russia – April 20, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin attended an Orthodox Easter service at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour on April 20, hours after declaring a unilateral 30-hour ceasefire in Ukraine for the holiday. The service, led by Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church and a vocal supporter of Russia’s war in Ukraine, was marked by calls for peace within the “historical Rus” region, encompassing parts of modern-day Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. However, Ukraine reported ongoing Russian attacks, casting doubt on the truce’s sincerity.
Putin, dressed in a dark suit with a white shirt and red tie, stood alongside Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, holding a lit red candle and crossing himself as Kirill proclaimed, “Christ is risen,” to which Putin responded, “He is risen indeed.” The traditionally sung service, a cornerstone of Orthodox Easter—the most significant holiday for Russian Orthodox Christians—began late Saturday and extended into Sunday’s early hours. For Putin, who views Orthodoxy as central to his worldview, attending major religious services is a consistent practice, particularly at the gold-domed cathedral, a symbol of Russia’s state-church alliance.
The ceasefire, announced on April 19 to last from 6 p.m. Moscow time Saturday to midnight Sunday, was framed by Putin as a humanitarian gesture to allow Orthodox Christians in conflict zones to attend Easter services. “We assume the Ukrainian side will follow our example,” Putin said, urging Russian troops to repel any violations. The announcement coincided with a major prisoner exchange, with 246 Russian soldiers and 31 wounded Ukrainian POWs swapped, alongside 15 wounded Russian soldiers, per Russia’s Ministry of Defense.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the truce as “another attempt to play with human lives,” noting that Russian artillery and drones continued operations, including in Kursk and Belgorod regions where Ukrainian forces have been active. “Russian artillery still sounds, rather than any promise of silence,” Zelenskyy posted on X, citing air raid sirens in Kyiv and ongoing strikes. Ukrainian troops reported no easing of hostilities by 8 p.m. Saturday, with Zelenskyy proposing a 30-day ceasefire to test Russia’s intentions, referencing a U.S.-proposed plan Russia rejected in March.
Patriarch Kirill, who has consistently backed Russia’s invasion—now in its fourth year, with tens of thousands killed, mostly Ukrainians, and millions displaced—used the service to call for a “lasting and just peace” in “historical Rus.” Quoting the commandment, “Do not do evil to another,” he suggested adherence could transform “family, social, and inter-governmental” life, according to TASS. Critics, including Ukrainian officials, view Kirill’s rhetoric as aligning with Russia’s territorial ambitions, with one priest facing expulsion for dissenting against the church’s pro-war stance.
The ceasefire’s timing, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s April 18 statement that peace talks were “coming to a head,” raised questions about political motives. Russia’s Defense Ministry also claimed on April 19 to have retaken Oleshnya in Kursk, though fighting persists in nearby Gornal, per TASS. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha contrasted Russia’s 30-hour truce with the rejected 30-day U.S. proposal, calling it a publicity stunt.
Sentiment on X reflected polarized views. Users like @ElectionWiz highlighted Putin’s participation, sharing footage of him chanting, while @smarthealthtalk criticized the ceasefire as an authoritarian ploy. @WhiteRabbitSoul and @OrthodoxyChurch shared live coverage, amplifying the event’s visibility.
The Easter service underscored the interplay of faith, politics, and war in Russia’s narrative, but Ukraine’s reports of continued attacks suggest the ceasefire was more symbolic than substantive, deepening mistrust as the conflict grinds on.
Sources: Reuters, CNN, The Hindu, NBC News, Kyiv Independent, Bangkok Post, The Economic Times, The Guardian, X posts
