Punk Band Perform in Moscow Orthodox Cathedral
On February 21, five members of the Punk Band Pussy Riot performed on the altar of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow for a few minutes. Beside a political oppositional message, they sang a song that contained unflattering characteristics of the clergy of the temple, as well as the Russian Patriarch, Kirill. The women were wearing colored masks. Church officials called their actions blasphemy, sacrilege, an insult to religious feelings.
As the motiviation of the band was mainly political and directed against the re-election of Wladimir Putin, this act was not primarily an act of intolerance against Christianity. The Observatory is however convinced, that legitmate expressions of opinion should remain within the borders of respecting religious feelings and sacred places. Sources: http://en.gazeta.ru/news/2012/03/04/a_4022453.shtml http://fr.myeurop.info/2012/03/06/pussy-riot-les-feministes-punks-qui-defient-poutine-4810 http://russie.fr/pussy-riot-le-rock-russe-dans-tout-ses-etats