On Sunday and Monday millions of believers gathered for church services all over the former Soviet Union, eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexiy II blessed the faithful in Moscow's Christ the Saviour Cathedral

Russian President Vladimir Putin was among the congregation at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Vladimir

The Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem, Irineos, led the procession into the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem

Palestinian girl scouts accompanied Palestinian policemen on a Christmas parade

A Palestinian Christian prepared to pray in Gaza

Pro-independence Montenegrins fired in the air calling for split from Serbia during a Christmas rally in Cetinje

A rival rally was also held in Cetinje by pro-Yugoslav Montenegrins - both rallies burned traditional Yule logs

In Ukraine, Orthodox Christians lit candles in the Saint Volodymyr Cathedral in the capital, Kiev

Believers in Macedonia celebrated at the country's biggest Orthodox church of Saint Kliment in Skopje