"We are hated (by the West) because we offer a different path, an alternative path of civilizational development," the head of the Russian Orthodox Church told the faithful during his sermon.Orthodox Christians in Russia celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7 in accordance with the Julian calendar. In 2023, Ukraine signed a law moving the day of Christmas celebrations to Dec. 25, similar to Western Christianity.During the mass, Kirill blessed icons and crosses that were engraved with Putin's initials and will be sent to Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the Russian media."Physically, they cannot really smother us, though they try through different types of slander and the creation of blocs of some sort intended to weaken Russia," Kirill said, according to Reuters.The Russian religious leader often bashes the West for what he presents as "moral decadence," primarily attacking LGBTQ rights that are increasingly suppressed in Russia.Ukraine placed Kirill on its wanted list in December 2023 after accusing him of infringing on Ukraine's territorial integrity resulting in "the death of people or other serious consequences.