Orthodox Christians across Russia marked Christmas Eve on Tuesday and early Wednesday morning, with a special midnight mass held in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow.

Orthodox Christians across Russia marked Christmas Eve on Tuesday and early Wednesday morning, with a special midnight mass held in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow.

Head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill lead the mass, reciting a Christmas Eve liturgy, attended by hundreds of worshippers and Russian Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev. Kirill called on Russians to strengthen their faith in God during difficult times.

"I wish for all of us, all our people, to rely on the strength of God to overcome the difficulties of everyday life. I believe, I hope, that everything that we are now troubled and disquieted by - after some time will cease bothering us and troubling us," said Patriarch Kirill, the head of Russian Orthodox Church.

Festive services were to be held at night and in the morning on January 7th in Orthodox churches across Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin attended a divine service. Putin could be seen surrounded by children as he prayed and watched the service.

According to the Russian Orthodox tradition the faithful start celebrating Christmas at the night mass. Families hold celebrations at home the following day, handing out presents and sharing Christmas meals. In Russia, Christmas is celebrated exactly 13 days after the Catholic Christmas.

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