On the night of January 6-7, 2025, on the feast of the Nativity of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia celebrated a series of Christmas services at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow ― Great Compline, Matins and the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.
Before the end of the Divine Liturgy, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin arrived at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. He celebrated Christmas at the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious on Poklonnaya Gora.
During the conversation, which took place at the altar of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the head of state congratulated His Holiness Patriarch Kirill on Christmas and asked the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church to consecrate crosses and icons: "First of all, happy holidays, Your Holiness! I would like to ask you to consecrate the crosses and icons that I plan to give as a gift to all our commanders, those who perform particularly important tasks in the area of the special military operation for the defense of the Fatherland. I think they will be especially pleased to receive these symbols of faith, especially those consecrated by you, and even on Christmas Night, during the Christmas Service."
"Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, There are crosses, as well as icons depicting the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir, the founder of our state, the one who defended our Fatherland with a sword in his hands, which remains a symbol of the gathering of the Russian land. But besides that, it is also your heavenly patron. So, I think it will be especially intelligible and pleasant for all the soldiers who receive these images," said His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. 
The Primate of the Russian Church consecrated crosses and icons in the presence of the head of state.
The initials of the President of Russia will be engraved on individual links of the chains to the crosses.