Kiev artist is under a threat of a criminal proceedings for "icons" with monkeys

Artist Ilya Chichkan in the Kiev gallery "Karas" has exhibited works in which monkeys are depicted in iconic frames. Criminal proceedings for the exhibition "Psychodarwinism: the evolution of psycho" were initiated under Article 161 of the Criminal Code: "Violation of the equality of citizens, depending on their race, nationality or attitude to religion", writes "KP in Ukraine".

"I invented the concept of psycho-Darwinism for myself, and that's my theory," Chichkan told reporters about his work. "As a basis, I did not take real icons with the faces of saints, in which I painted monkeys. This is my interpretation on a given topic."

Igor Khronenko, associate professor of the Kiev Theological Academy, a member of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra Museum believes that if these pictures are converted from a religious image, then yes – this is desecration of the icon and nothing more than blasphemy and breach of the sanctity of religion). If the pictures are drawn afresh, then the exhibition of this genre should be treated as an abstraction and not taken at your own expense.

The provocative works have already been removed from the exhibition.

Read also

Annual academic conference opens at Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary

The fifteenth annual conference was dedicated to the anniversaries of Prince Vasyl-Kostiantyn Ostrožský and Metropolitan Rafail (Zaborovský).

Feminists attack Roman Catholic churches in Latin America

During protest actions, members of radical groups attacked cathedrals in several Latin American countries, assaulted police officers, and threw paint at believers.

UOC hierarch takes part in German bishops’ conference

Bishop Veniamin of Boyarka took part in the OBKD assembly in Düsseldorf.

Ivano-Frankivsk scraps school project planned on demolished UOC church site

The authorities in Ivano-Frankivsk have dropped plans to build the school for whose construction a UOC church was demolished.

Shostatsky to UOC: If you are so righteous – do not cling to your churches

The OCU metropolitan called on UOC faithful and clergy to pray rather than defend their churches from seizures.

Archbishop John: The Church is not a special group – it is open to everyone

The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Albania explained why the Church cannot shut itself off from people and what danger arises when believers begin to feel that it is “ours.”