I asked my father how he felt about the girls from Pussy Riot

Recently, in a conversation with a priest, the rector of one of the parishes of the Vyatka diocese, I, among other things, asked how he felt about the girls from the group Pussy Riot and received an interesting answer:

“This is a provocation. Organized against the weak, then-current president, in favor of the arrival of a new strong one, who must show his strength, including in relation to these girls. A provocation, into the orbit of which the Russian Orthodox Church was drawn. Therefore, the punishment will be severe and disproportionate to their actions.

I regret and do not agree with Patriarch Kirill’s position on this issue. This position causes great harm to the church. Understanding this, the patriarch has recently been trying to increase the distance between the Russian Orthodox Church and the state, so that some kind of transformation of the church into an ideological machine, with clearly defined propaganda slogans and appeals, does not occur.

The authorities are trying to reduce this distance. There is tension between the parties.

The Church is less interested in such cooperation with the authorities. But the authorities clearly and to an enormous extent want this cooperation. It's hard to resist.

Regarding girls: as a clergyman, I would forgive, as a father would flog, as a citizen I would send them home to their children.”

Based on the foregoing, it can be assumed that no amount of petitions and appeals with the signatures of a variety of respected and famous people will help.

PS. I can’t say my father’s name. If he wants to, he will speak out.