Patriarch Kirill of Moscow congratulated Russian leader Vladimir Putin on his name day, today is the feast day of Saint Vladimir, Prince of Kyiv, and on the Day of the Baptism of Rus. The patriarch stressed that Putin, “drawing inspiration from the example of the holy prince, defender of the Fatherland and champion of Orthodoxy, consistently upholds” the country’s sovereignty.

The information was published on the official website of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The message, addressed to “His Excellency Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin,” states that the Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir “determined the unique model of Rus’ development for centuries. The Orthodox faith became the defining factor in the moral formation of the people and the foundation of the nation’s culture and traditions.”

“It is heartening to see that, drawing inspiration from the example of the holy prince, defender of the Fatherland and champion of Orthodoxy, You consistently uphold the sovereignty of our country, promote its social and economic development, and care not only for the material well-being of Your fellow citizens but also for their spiritual welfare,” Gundyayev writes to the dictator.

He also thanks Putin for his “attention to the Russian Orthodox Church,” expressing hope for “the affirmation of traditional moral values and enduring ideals of mercy, goodness, and justice.”

Earlier, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin praised Patriarch Kirill of Moscow for his efforts to support participants in the “special military operation” in a congratulatory message marking the 50th anniversary of the patriarch’s episcopal ordination.

As LF previously reported, during a meeting with Russian ruler Vladimir Putin, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, Gundyayev, said that “everything was good and prosperous under the Little Father Tsar” because the Church was then “part of the state apparatus.” Gundyayev also stated that after years of persecution “the Lord has once again shown mercy to the Church and to the Orthodox people,” referring to Putin’s rule.

According to LF, in November 2025 Patriarch Kirill Gundyayev declared that military heroism is “inseparable” from spiritual devotion and that participation in war may be regarded as a form of Christian service. This attempt to justify the war through religious rhetoric provoked an immediate and sharp reaction within church circles.

According to Regina Elsner, Doctor of Theology and researcher of Eastern Christianity and ecumenism at the University of Münster, the Russian Orthodox Church has become one of the key institutions of mobilization and propaganda.

Earlier, we reported that Pope Leo XIV and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I condemned attempts to use religion to justify violence.