Moscow  -  More than 100,000 Russian Orthodox Christians celebrated Easter in the 700 or so churches of the Russian capital Sunday.

Many politicians and intellectuals also attended the Easter service in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the seat of the Russian Orthodox Church, including outgoing President Vladimir Putin, his successor Dmitry Medvedev and their wives.

The service was carried live on Russian television.

"We have to thank you, highly esteemed Vladimir Vladimirovich (Putin), for your eight-year presidency. You have done a lot for our country," Patriarch Alexy II said.

The patriarch promised the church's support to Medvedev to carry out the upcoming "difficult tasks" of the new government.

Medvedev, who takes up office on May 7, earlier praised the "growing positive influence" of the Orthodox Church in Russian society.

Easter is the most important celebration for the world's 150 million Orthodox Christians.

The Russian church, the Moscow Patriarchate, is the largest Orthodox denomination, with some 100 million members in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and other countries.

From just 6,900 parishes shortly before the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the church has grown to some 26,600 parishes.

The Orthodox church follows the Julian calendar, which it why it celebrates Easter and Christmas at different times from the Catholic and Protestant churches. (dpa)