Orthodox Easter service: Orthodox Easter celebrated with night mass in Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Moscow Mayor unexpectedly attended the traditional overnight Orthodox Easter service at Moscow's Christ the Saviour cathedral.

The mass led by the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, who ceremonially lit candles with so-called Holy Fire delivered by a special flight from Jerusalem.

It was earlier reported that the service would be held without any dignitaries this year, but a couple of days ago the church announced it saw no reason for any sort of limitations during Easter activities.

For Orthodox Christians in Russia, Easter is the most popular religious holiday, which falls on this Sunday according to the old, Julian calendar.