The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Aleksy II, used his Christmas message to encourage all Christians to give in response to God's love. He urged all the congregants to "ardent and forceful love for each other and for all the people around us," reported the ITAR-TASS news agency.
Patriarch Aleksy II went further, saying 2008 is the Year of Family in Russia and asked his compatriots to share in the, "Happiness and the plenitude of everyday life are in love, mutual responsibility and readiness to devote your life to those who love."
Meanwhile, the Interfax news agency reported that a Russian flight engineer on board the International Space Station would spend Orthodox Christmas with his two American counterparts.
In Serbia, the Voice of America reported, the local Orthodox Church voiced concern about Kosovo and also urged believers to spend the solemn day in 'peace, joy, and spiritual happiness.'