Russian patriarch blasts punk rock band’s cathedral action

March 26, 2012

Uttering blasphemies and wearing masks and provocative attire, a feminist punk-rock band danced in front of the pulpit of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, prompting a strong denunciation from Patriarch Kirill.

The band members face the prospect of seven years of prison for their actions.

“We have no future if we start mocking at great shrines and if some people consider this mockery a kind of bravery, an expression of political protest, an appropriate action or innocent joke,” Patriarch Kirill said.

“All of us are going through the Great Lent,” he continued. “The devil laughed at all of us, bringing so much sorrows on the days when we should depart from disturbances of this world, pray, restrict ourselves with fasting, repent of our own sins.”

“Those people don't believe in the power of prayer,” he added. “They believe in power of propaganda, in power of lies and slander, in power of the Internet, in power of mass media, in power of money and weapons. We believe in [the] power of prayer.”

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Patriarch Kirill calls Pussy Riot action the Devil's mockery (Interfax)
• Pussy Riot "performance" should be classified as feud-fanning crime - Russia's Interreligious Council (Interfax)
• Russian punk band were doing devil's work, says leader of Orthodox church (The Guardian)