Crosses chopped down: 'Anti-church hysteria' spreads across Russia

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Published time: August 25, 2012 20:21
Edited time: August 26, 2012 13:59

Still from the video by Arkhangelsk eparchy

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Protest, Pussy Riot, Religion, Russia, Scandal, Ukraine

Four Orthodox Christian crosses have been chopped down in different parts of Russia. The incidents come after the Femen movement attacked a cross in Kiev to protest the sentence of the punk band Pussy Riot, who received two years in prison.

Three crosses have been taken down in the Urals’ Chelyabinsk Region, and one in the Archangelsk Region, northern Russia.

By the time police arrived at the scenes the vandals had already left. Authorities have launched an investigation into both cases.

The Arkhangelsk cross was erected in the memory of the victims of political repressions, said a local priest, Hegumen Feodosy.

He also said that in recent years the monastery, situated across the street from the cross, has seen two arson attacks and a number of other acts of vandalism.

“This comes in the context of all these incidents in recent months across the country, all this anti-church hysteria waged against our diocese, against the church authority, against everything sacred,” Hegumen Feodosy said.

Russian Human Rights Ombudsman has also strongly condemned the acts of vandalism.

"Just like all normal people, I’m outraged by the ludicrous acts of these individuals. I would hope to see these low-lifes voluntarily come in and explain the motives behind their outrageous actions,” Vladimir Lukin has told Interfax news agency. “Deliberate destruction of Christian or any other religious shrines is a bacchanalia of hatred and brutality.”

The two incidents follow a similar case when the leader of the Ukrainian activist group Femen took down a cross in Kiev using a chainsaw. The act, which was filmed and photographed, later received wide circulation on the Web.

In a statement Femen declared that the cross was taken down in solidarity with the members of punk band Pussy Riot, who were sentenced to two years in jail for hooliganism motivated by religious hatred.

Still from the video by Arkhangelsk eparchy

Still from the video by Arkhangelsk eparchy.

Comments (122)

Otto von Bulow (unregistered) 29.08.2012 14:17

Can anybody tell me why Churches are desecrated and Crosses are cut down but Synagogues are left alone and Menorahs are Not chopped to pieces? ............There should be thousands of menorahs lying on the ground in Russia by now taking into consideration the track record of Jews in Russia;..... Killing millions of Christians 1918-1968 and just recently stealing $ billions of Russian Wealth 1989-1999. Putin by some miracle was able to stop that otherwise that would be trillions! .......... Any reason for leaving Synagogues alone?....... Why Pus Rioting Idiots do not go to Masques in Russia and make fun of Muslims?....... A ny Reason for all that? Maybe I missed something?.......

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Marley (unregistered) 27.08.2012 14:56

jermboy wrote in #1Daniel (unregistered) wrote in #10People fighting over pointless symbols and superstitions. Reminds me of growing up in the southern US. Both sides of this issue need to grow up and take a freaking chill pill. Symbols have absolutely no purpose except to evoke emotional responses, and you are only catering to that if you choose to be offended by such meaningless acts. I would understand if human beings were being tortured or murdered, but this is only a damn symbol. Some of you need to reorganize your priorities.Well said, its nice to see that not every person on this thread is completely insa ne! Not just posting an opinion to the issue; but calling for death penalty, life in jail, retaliation towards other religions. I like to lie to myself and think that they are just web-forum trolls; bored, looking to get people going. RT can add an IQ test, something br ief but mandatory befo re a post can be published? What is your IQ?

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jermboy 27.08.2012 14:21

Daniel (unregistered) wrote in #10
People fighting over pointless symbols and superstitions. Reminds me of growing up in the southern US. Both sides of this issue need to grow up and take a freaking chill pill. Symbols have absolutely no purpose except to evoke emotional responses, and you are only catering to that if you choose to be offended by such meaningless acts. I would understand if human beings were being tortured or murdered, but this is only a damn symbol. Some of you need to reorganize your priorities.
W ell said, its nice to see that not every person on this thread is completely insa ne! Not just posting an opinion to the issue; but calling for death penalty, life in jail, retaliation towards other religions. I like to lie to myself and think that they are just web-forum trolls; bored, looking to get people going.
RT can add an IQ test, something br ief but mandatory befo re a post can be published?

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