Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an Easter message Sunday saying nationwide celebrations of the holy day are "clear evidence of the revival of centuries-old Christian traditions in our country."
Putin, who was visiting Tajikistan's capital, Dushanbe, attended Saturday night Easter services in the small St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported.
In the Orthodox church calendar, Easter is often on a different day from Roman Catholic and Protestant churches, which marked Easter one week earlier this year.
Russians met for services in some 16,000 parishes. The main event was the all-night ritual, ending at 6 a.m. Sunday, at Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral.
The cathedral service, attended by an estimated 5,000 worshippers including Russian Prime Minister Mikahil Kasyanov and Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, was carried on state television.
It was led by a stand-in for Patriarch Alexy II, 74, who is recovering from flu and pneumonia. Doctors advised him not to undertake the grueling 10-hour service, media reports said.
Moscow's festival of Easter continues through May 10; events include more than 40 concerts.