'God put you in power': Russian Orthodox leader tells Putin on his 70th birthday

“God put you in power so that you could perform a service of special importance and of great responsibility for the fate of the country,” the Russian Orthodox leader said.

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill said Friday that Vladimir Putin's reign over Russia had been mandated by God, congratulating the Kremlin chief on his 70th birthday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Russian Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow. (AFP)

"God put you in power so that you could perform a service of special importance and of great responsibility for the fate of the country and the people entrusted to your care," the patriarch said, joining a chorus of Russian officials congratulating Putin on his birthday.