Russia's Orthodox patriarch, Kirill I, called on worshippers to be kind to their fellow humans and the community at large on Thursday, as millions of Orthodox Christians in the country celebrated their Christmas dpa reported
He highlighted the many people who provided assistance during Russia's worst-ever forest fires earlier this year as a positive example.
The Christmas celebration, including that in the Cathedral of Christ the Redeemer in Moscow, are to last through Friday.
Last year, some 6,000 worshippers - President Dmitry Medvedev among them - attended the main service in central Moscow.
Orthodox Christians, who make up around 60 per cent of the 140 million inhabitants of Russia, celebrate Christmas 13 days after December 25, in accordance with the Julian Calendar