Fake news of mass Catholic protests against the Olympics circulates online
Catholic celebration of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 2022. Photo: Screenshot from X video
A video circulating on social media falsely claims mass Catholic protests in France against anti-Christian parodies at the Olympics' opening ceremony on July 26, 2024. The event actually took place two years ago in Lourdes.
"French Christians out in mass tonight protesting against the mockery of Jesus and the last supper during the opening ceremony of the Olympics," reads an X post of July 29, showing thousands of people carrying candles and singing the "Hymn of Lourdes (Immaculate Mary)."
Similar messages have been spread on other X channels in several languages, including English, Arabic, French, and Portuguese.
In reality, the footage was taken in Lourdes, France, during the Catholic celebration of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 2022.
As the UOJ reported, the Bulgarian Church reacted to the blasphemy during the Olympics' opening ceremony, stating: "Without faith in Christ, Europe has no future."
Read also
UOC Priest Concelebrated with the Patriarch of Georgia in Tbilisi
In two Georgian churches, a cleric was informed that clergy of the OCU are prohibited from participating in services of the Georgian Church.
Pat. Bartholomew calls on four Churches to accept Crete Council's decisions
On the tenth anniversary of the Council of Crete, the Primate of the Constantinople Church addressed the four absent Local Churches.
Chernivtsi Holy Spirit Cathedral marks patronal feast
On the Day of the Holy Spirit, Metropolitan Meletiy led the festal Liturgy at Chernivtsi’s cathedral, concelebrated by hierarchs and clergy.
Kyiv Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh damaged in Russian strike
A Russian strike damaged the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Kyiv's Solomianskyi District, shattering windows in the church and parish buildings. No injuries were reported.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews paralyze traffic in Israel over arrest of draft evaders
Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators blocked highways and railway tracks, demanding an end to the arrest of those refusing military service.
Patronal feast celebrated at Kherson cathedral damaged by shelling
Because of damage caused by Russian shelling, the festal Liturgy on the Day of the Holy Spirit was celebrated for the first time in the lower church of the Kherson Eparchy’s cathedral.