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On 19 April 2009, when the Orthodox world celebrated the Bright Resurrection of Christ, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia officiated at the festive divine service at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. Concelebrating were the Chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate archbishop Varsonofy of Saransk and Mordovia, archbishop Arseny of Istra, bishop Alexander of Dmitrov, and Moscow clergymen.

Central TV channels broadcast the service from the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. His Holiness the Patriarch addressed the audience with his primatial homily.

The Holy Fire was brought from Jerusalem just before the Procession with the Cross, and His Holiness the Patriarch said, ‘The Holy Fire was brought from Jerusalem to our capital city of Moscow right before the divine service at the holy night of the Resurrection of Christ. I shall light candles from it, and the deacons will distribute it among the worshippers.’

His Holiness and those who concelebrated went on the Procession with the Cross around the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, and Paschal Matins began. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev with his wife and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin attended the service.

The sacristan of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour archpriest Mikhail Ryazantsev read out the Patriarchal Paschal message after the communion verse.

His Holiness blessed the leavened loafs (artoses) after the Divine Liturgy and greeted all those present at the Cathedral with the great, radiant and joyful day pf Pascha, saying, ‘May Christ’s victory over evil and wickedness permeate our minds and souls, strengthen our will, enlighten our feelings and make us participants in His Divine Victory! Christ is risen! Christ is risen! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!’