New RF banknote features a no-cross temple and a minaret with a crescent
New banknote in the Russian Federation. Photo: RBC
On October 16, 2023, new banknotes in denominations of 1,000 and 5,000 rubles were introduced in the Russian Federation, RBC reports. On the 1000-ruble note, the designers placed images of religious buildings of the Kazan Kremlin: the Syuyumbike tower with an Islamic crescent and the Vvedensky Orthodox Church without a cross.
The new banknote caused outrage in the Russian Orthodox Church. The famous priest-blogger Pavel Ostrovsky wrote in his Telegram channel: “What, comrades, have you completely lost your fear? On the new 1000 ruble banknote you depict a minaret with a crescent, and the dome of an Orthodox church without a cross. Don't play with fire."
In his opinion, the situation can be explained either by the “stupidity of the designers” or by “a deliberate provocation that has previously been encountered from adherents of Islam from Tatarstan.” According to him, “I'd rather it were the former option.”
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the ROC was alarmed by the massive “erasing” of crosses on coats of arms and state logos.
Read also
Ukraine must have its own faith: Poroshenko's party lays out peace terms
Poroshenko’s party European Solidarity described church policy as a matter of national sovereignty and said there can be no compromises in this area.
432 UOC churches damaged in Ukraine during war, report says
According to the Religion on Fire project, 807 religious buildings in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed as a result of hostilities.
DESS official gives number of clergy exempt from mobilization in Ukraine
A DESS representative said the actual number of clergy exempt from mobilization is significantly lower than the number of religious organizations designated as critical.
Cabinet keeps gas prices unchanged for religious organizations
The Cabinet has fixed gas prices for religious organizations through the end of the 2026–2027 heating season.
Concert held at seized Cherkasy cathedral
The OCU thanked the musical ensemble for choosing the Cherkasy cathedral as the venue for a Baroque music concert.
OCU activist admits breaking into UOC church in Sloviansk
Oleksandr Onyshchenko said that the OCU held its first "service" at the Seraphim Church, which had previously been broken into by forcing the locks and doors.