His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexis II observed his 74th Birthday on February 23, the Day of the Motherland Defenders. In two days, the Pimate of Russian Orthodox Church marked his Name day at the feast of Iberian icon of Mother of God and Holy hierarch of Moscow Alexis, the Wonderworker.

On the eve of the feast, February 24, Patriarch Alexis presided at the Great Vespers at the cathedral of the Epiphany, and on the day of the feast he celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the cathedral of Christ the Savior. Traditionally hierachs, priests, governmental officials are coming to congratulate the head of the Russian Church on his Name day.

At the day of the feast among those concelebrating the Liturgy at the cathedral of Christ the Savior were His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev and All Ukraine, hierarchs of Russian Orthodox Church, representatives of Local Orthodox Churches, rectors of Moscow churches and monasteries. At the end of the service Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev and All Ukraine expressed congratulations to Patriarch Alexis from the hierarchs and the faithful of the Russian Orthodox Church. He said, in particular, "the Lord has called You to hierarch ministry at uneasy times. On the one hand the prosecution of the Church seems to be ceased, the Church has got some rights and opportunities, but on the other hand there came new tribulations: schisms, heresies, dissentions are taking place now. But You, according to Apostle Paul, became everything for everyone". Metropolitan Vladimir wished to the Patriarch many years to serve Christ' Church and presented His Holiness with the icon of Mother of God of Iberia. Greetings from the Moscow clergy were offered by protopresbyter Sergey Nikitin, rector of the church of Saint Simeon the Stylate on Povarskaya street.

In response Patriarch Alexis said: "During the last illness I felt very distinctly the power of the Church prayers. That is why now at my Name day, I would like to thank all archpastors and the clergy, all our faithful of Russia, brothers and sisters, monastics and laymen - all those who prayed hard for my recovery. The Lord helps me again to celebrate the Divine Liturgy and be together with our dear and beloved people".

The Patriarch pointed out that in the life of the Church together with joy there are a lot of tribulations, "Tribulations of the Church are dissentions and schisms, that we with great pain can see in Ukraine, moral nihilism and impunity. But God gave us his commandments, taught us true love - and we have to fulfill it and teach it to our faithful". Then hierarchs, the clergy and many believers offered personal greetings to His Holiness Patriarch.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a greeting telegram the day before. It noted in particular, "Your service as the Head of Russian Orthodox Church is aimed at consolidation of the society, at increasing of its cultural traditions and through this at the welfare of our motherland . I am sure that your selfless ministry and a high authority that you have not only in our country but abroad as well will always help to keep peace and unity, it will help to revive the true cultural wealth".

Vladimir Putin went to meet Patriarch Alexis in his work residency in Chisti Pereulok. The President congratulated the Head of Russian Orthodox Church with his birthday and his Holy Patron's Day.

Later that evening a reception was held in the Church Council Hall at the ñathedral of Christ the Savior. Many governmental officials, prominent science and culture figures came to congratulate Patriarch.

Earlier Patriarch received a greeting from cosmonauts Nikolai Budarin, Kenneth Bowersox and Donald Pettit from the international space station. "On this special Day of Your Birthday and on the coming day of You Holy Patron let us express You our deep gratitude for Your support and spiritual help, which You gave to our cosmonautics in general and to us - cosmonauts flying in boundless space, that you share with Your great archpastoral work and involvement with state problems of cultural wealth of our nation", said the telegram addressed to His Holiness Patriarch and received through the space telecommunication system.