The skinny dissident is thrown headfirst into a police van by camouflage-clad officers. Nearby, a dozen bearded men bearing Russian Orthodox crosses and wearing skull-and-crossbones T-shirts cheer on the cops.
It’s the latest flare-up in a growing feud pitting supporters of the influential church, which sees itself as the nation’s spiritual guide, against opponents who say the church has sold out to Vladimir Putin ”” becoming an arm of his regime more interested in gold than souls.
Roman Dobrokhotov was on his way to Christ the Savior Cathedral, Russia’s biggest church, to protest against the arrest of members of female punk rock band Pussy Riot. They were jailed in early March for belting out an anti-Putin “punk prayer” in front of the church’s gilded altar wearing garishly colored balaclavas.
Plus ca change, plus ca meme chose. Russia has had this discussion before…just remember they chose the way of Joseph of Volokolamsk over that of the Trans-Volga Elders. Nothing new here. Westerners just think Russia is all about the TVE.
Unfortunately the Russian Church has a long history of being too cozy with the state. Old habits die hard.
The Russian church has sold out? And this is news how?