The Christian Orthodox procession that took place in Volgograd on the last Sunday (April 15th, 2012) was marked by very unpleasant incident. The procession was joined by a group of political activists one of whom was wearing the shirt with swastika. It created a surrealistic picture of Christian priest and Russian fascists walking side by side.
Later the Russian Orthodox Church issued apology for this incident:
The procession dedicated to Easter, which last Sunday took place in Volgograd, annoyed most of the laity. In the foreground of this procession together with a number of priests there were representatives of so-called “People’s Militia of Minin and Pozharsky”. They were waving black-yellow-white nationalist flags and at least one guy had swastika appearing from under his jacket. All of this seemed at least strange to the onlookers if not offensive.
- We apologize to all the laity – responded to the incident Father Lazarus from the Volzhsky Monastery. – Some political forces use the authority of the church and in such way want to establish themselves in the eyes of the public, by joining the procession. Without any arrangements with the clergy, they just joined the procession as ordinary lay people, and then later unwrapped the flags. And it would be wrong to stop the procession because of these pseudo-patriots, thus attracting even more attention.
Police also explained why they didn’t see any reason to remove them from the crowd.
- Neither they shouted any slogans nor interfered with the event itself, – told to “Komsomolskaya Pravda” from the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Volgograd region. - They haven’t done anything prohibited by the law, didn’t make any propaganda. But they fulfilled their goal and attracted the public attention.
Netizens on participation of Russian fascists in the Easter procession
And here is what Russian netizens think about this incident (translated comments are from “Komsomolskaya Pravda” and Russian blogs).
Anonymous: Did ments forget about the existence of the article “Propaganda of the nazi symbols”?
Anonymous: I would excommunicate the chief of police or whoever was responsible for the order there.
Anonymous: And why even apologize? They are who they are - the Inquisition. Soon all dissenters will be dealt with.
Anonymous: In Germany they would immediately screw off his head for the Nazi symbols.
Anonymous: At least it can be classified as unapproved rally, since they obviously use flags.
[Note: referring to the fact that many rallies of Russian opposition were handled by police on the grounds of not being arranged and approved in advance]
vashe imya: The guy is both Christian Orthodox and national-socialist. There is no planned “provocation” here. He just unzipped his jacket because he was hot. That’s it!
The rest is speculation.
What is this sensationalism? That Imperial flags are brought to processions? Or that among Russian Nationalists there are also radical National Socialists besides the “respectable” ones?
matraznik: Shoulder to shoulder, excellent picture )
a_kor: They don’t break the laws of Putin’s state.
baby2revolution: Please imprison them all for seven years, they have insulted my feelings of a believing person! :-)
[Note: referring to the members of the scandalous punk group "Pussy Riot" who made a debauchery in the Christ the Savior Cathedral and now might get 7 years of prison]
creator10: So what? Navalny [a prominent Russian oppositionist] had marched with Russian Nazis. And it was normal…
happy_badger: This is Metropolitan of Volgograd, German. I think the guy simply clang to him during the procession. What could he do? Push him away? He might even not notice it.
aniriol: Someone leads someone else straight to the hell.
l_199: Can’t you understand that this guy unzipped his jacket before the pictures were taken? And that the bishop didn’t even know about it? And that the Russian Church doesn’t promote swastika or pro-fascist views? To what state is your brain brought [to think like that]?..
ivansim: What’s so surprising? Orthodoxy and fascism are twin-brothers.
edelveis (asking the previous commenter): And why is that?
ivansim (answering): Factually, they are related misanthropic ideologies…
edelveis (continuing): Depends on what you refer to. If teaching of Christ – he talked about loving the neighbor. But if Russian Orthodox Church – then yes.
ivansim (replying): I refer exclusively to the ideology of the Russian Orthodox Church. Christ’s doctrine is equally irrelevant to it, as swastika to the symbol of Sun, for example.
tufelka_n: One has cross and another has cross…
pycckux: Swastika is likely worn by the provocateur… who wants to discredit the sacred procession. Surely unbuttoned his jacket for the camera.
dimasmel: This world is insane.
vseokey777: ”Sieg Heil!” “Truly, Sieg Heil!”
[Note: parodying the traditional Paschal greeting when one person greets another "Christ is Risen!" and in reply is greeted with "Truly, He is Risen!"]
My name is Augis Barkov and I am glad to welcome you to RedHotRussia - the site in which you can find the most popular stories, pictures and videos from Russian internet translated to English.
Read more
This is OK, police with criminals, religious with fascists… Russian style :)
How were the priests in front were supposed to know of swastika-man behind them? What were they supposed to do even if they did?
See, this is why normal patriotic Russians despise the liberals who hate their own nation and its values, like the ones in the comments above who dare equate the Orthodox Church with Nazism. That is why they have 2% approval ratings. And quite rightly so, I might add.
You are right. Priests can’t be blamed for that.
The ones who had to do something was police.
http://roides.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/20june12/
The Greek Orthodox Church blessing the neo-Nazis
20/06/2012
Here is an article from the Greek newspaper “To Vima”:
http://www.tovima.gr/afieromata/elections2012/article/?aid=457294
No comments from the church for the anti-Christian MP
May 12, 2012
The Church of Greece, usually sensitive to these issues, keeps silent so far, about the election of anti-Christian members of the “Chrisi Avgi” (Golden Dawn) at the Greek Parliament.
MP George Germenis, known by the nickname “Keadas” is a member of the black metal band Naer Mataron. In an interview that was published on August 1, 2009 in the online music magazine «Rock Escapes” states: “The black metal is anti-Christian and pagan in reference to music and seeks the abolition of the Christian system and the creation of a new one.”
Although these days everyone has learned the views of Mr. Germenis even the most versatile bishops, who they used “to tear their clothes” when a left or center MP dared to make even the slightest negative comment about the church, this time choose an unusual but deafening silence.
The representative of the press office of the Archbishop of Athens Mr. Chronis Tsianakas, answering the question about the official position of the Archdiocese on the issue, simply stated that “the position of the leadership of the Church will be known, if and when the issue will be discussed at the Holy Synod”.
From the office of Mr. Seraphim (bishop of Piraeus) also say that there is “currently” no official position on the matter, while from the office of Mr. Anthimos (bishop of Thessaloniki) say “they do not listen to this music,” but, as noted, “they are not very concerned because, as they heard, Keadas’ parents are Orthodox Christians.”
At the same time, the church seems not to be listening to public complaints, according to which priests in churches such as St Andrew (in Kato Patissia, Athens), propagandize openly in favor of the Golden Dawn, ignoring, as they say members of the congregation, that they violate their spiritual role and mandate for the Christian condemnation of violence
Here is a condemnation from a religious (Greek Orthodox) website
http://egolpio.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/aka-kaiadas/
Germenis is the same person who demands from reporters to stand up
(Video with English subtitles)
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a80_1336415043