Russian Orthodox Church head Patriarch Kirill calls Easter 'victory day' in holiday sermon

During an Easter service at Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral held on Saturday night, Russian Orthodox Church head Patriarch Kirill referred to the holiday as a “victory day.”

“Easter is a victory day. We know there’s the victory day connected to victory in war, but Easter is a day of victory over the greatest enemy — over the devil, and over the forces of evil that once held total sway over the world,” Patriarch Kirill told the congregation.

He referred to Easter as a “victory day” several more times throughout the sermon.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was in attendance at the service, along with Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin.