"Orthodox leader" — Putin traditionally plunged into Jordan

In his Epiphany sermon, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia called Russian President Vladimir Putin an Orthodox leader. The statement was made after the liturgy on the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord in the Epiphany Cathedral of Moscow.

"We have reached the time when the head of our state is truly Orthodox, not, as they say, by protocol, but by conviction, Orthodox, Leader Vladimir Vladimirovich. This, of course, testifies that the miracle of God happened through the prayers of the saints," said Patriarch Kirill.

Today, the press secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov said that Putin refers to Epiphany as a big holiday.

"Vladimir Putin traditionally, as he does every year, he took a dip," Peskov told reporters, answering the question of how Putin celebrated the Epiphany of the Lord. — Of course, Baptism for him, as for all Orthodox who work in the Kremlin, is a great holiday. And, of course, many people observe this rite, this sacrament. There are those who do not comply. And this, being a sacrament, is, of course, a very personal matter."