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Vladimir Putin was afraid to spend an Orthodox Church Christmas service with other people and instead spent it alone.

In the Kremlin’s gilded cathedral, where tsars once confessed their sins, the Russian president was the only worshipper.

Russia’s RIA news agency said it was the first time in 20 years that Putin celebrated Christmas in Moscow and not on the outskirts of the region.

State television broadcast two clips of Putin in the Cathedral of the Annunciation as priests led the midnight service known as the Divine Liturgy.

A dour Putin crossed himself and prayed several times, in stark contrast to his merry Christmas message.

“This bright, beloved holiday inspires people to good deeds and endeavours, and serves to reaffirm in society enduring spiritual values ​​and morals such as mercy, compassion, kindness and justice,” he said.

This was the first time in decades that Putin did not attend the ceremony outside of Moscow (Photo: EPA)

epa10393321 Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) attends a Christmas service at the Annunciation Cathedral in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, January 6, 2023. The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on January 7 according to the Julian calendar. EPA/MIKHAEL KLIMENTYEV/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN POOL

The president was the only worshiper in the Cathedral of the Annunciation in the Kremlin (EPA photo)

epa10393319 Russian President Vladimir Putin (2-L) attends a Christmas service at the Annunciation Cathedral in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, January 6, 2023. The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on January 7 according to the Julian calendar. EPA/MIKHAEL KLIMENTYEV/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN POOL

Putin had announced what appeared to be a ceasefire for the Orthodox Christmas season (Credits: EPA)

Every January 6 and 7, millions of Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas — about two weeks after their Western counterparts ate turkey.

Catholic and Orthodox Christians use different calendars to mark the birth of Jesus Christ, with countries such as Ukraine and Russia observing Christmas Eve yesterday.

In his Christmas message today, Putin praised the Russian Orthodox Church, whose influential leader, Patriarch Kirill, supported Putin’s war against Ukraine.

Church organizers “support our soldiers participating in a special military operation.”

“Such a magnificent, multifaceted, truly ascetic work deserves the sincere respect,” he added.

It comes as the Kremlin announced a 36-hour ceasefire in Ukraine on the occasion of Eastern Orthodox Christmas.

In what appeared to be a truce dismissed as presumptuous by Kiev, the truce lasted from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon.

epa10374713 A photo provided by the Press Office of the President of Ukraine shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (C) meeting Ukrainian military personnel during his visit to Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Eastern Ukraine, December 20, 2022, during the Russian invasion. Zelenskyy visited the frontline city of Bakhmut, where he presented state awards to Ukrainian military personnel, Ukraine's presidential office said in a statement. Russian forces invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, sparking a conflict that has resulted in destruction and a humanitarian crisis. EPA/UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE HANDOUT - MANDATORY EVIDENCE: UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE - HANDOUT FOR PROCESSING/NO SALE ONLY

Zelenskyy shrugged at Putin’s ceasefire (Photo: EPA)

The Kremlin said: “As a large number of Orthodox civilians are living in the hostilities, we call on the Ukrainian side to declare a ceasefire and give them the opportunity to attend services on Christmas Eve and the day of the Birth. .’

In his daily video address to X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of “using Christmas as a cover”.

Turning to the Russian people, Putin said that Moscow has “sent all your people to the slaughter”.

“Everyone in the world knows how the Kremlin uses lulls in war to resume war with renewed vigor,” he added.

Russia has repeatedly rejected several calls from Ukraine for a ceasefire to allow for humanitarian evacuations and aid repatriation.

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