Russian Orthodox Church uges authorities to legally ban “cross removal”
Logo of the Ryazan Department of Culture. Photo: open sources
On April 8, 2025, the head of the Legal Department of the Moscow Patriarchate, Abbess Kseniya (Chernega), addressed the State Duma with a legislative initiative aimed at protecting religious symbols in the public sphere. The proposal was presented during a session of an inter-factional working group, according to SOVA.
In her view, changes should be made to the federal laws “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations” and “On Advertising,” adding a provision that prohibits the use of images of religious buildings and objects with religious symbolism if the symbols are omitted.
“The use of images of religious buildings, as well as other objects containing religious symbols, without the specified symbols, shall not be permitted in the media, in the sale of goods, the performance of work, or the provision of services, as well as in state symbols and signs, announcements, signage, and advertising,” reads the wording proposed by the Moscow Patriarchate's representative.
She emphasized that the initiative is intended to combat the so-called “cross removal” (“krestopad”), which, according to her, can be observed “in print publications, on banknotes, in photographs of churches, and in advertising.”
Earlier, it was reported that the Russian Orthodox Church expressed outrage over the erasure of crosses from the cover of a Russian Constitution textbook.
Read also
Shevchuk tells Budanov of UGCC’s “state-building role”
The head of the Uniates told the head of the Presidential Office that his Church was ready to partner with the state and presented him with a book on the work of special services in the Church.
Authorities decline to disclose Ukraine’s population size
The State Statistics Service acknowledged that it has up-to-date population estimates for the country, but has decided not to make them public.
Lithuanian govt vows to protect Orthodox Church from Russian intelligence
Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry has called for curbing the influence of Russian intelligence services on the Church, while an adviser to President Nausėda warned against labeling the entire structure a security threat.
During Ramadan, Patriarch Theodoros hosts Islamic iftar at his residence
Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria hosted a meal for Muslim workers breaking their fast in the courtyard of the Patriarchate and thanked a sheikh for his “brotherhood.”
Lawsuit filed against Patriarch of Constantinople
A Turkish official has accused Patriarch Bartholomew and dozens of clergy of “illegal activity” and violating the Treaty of Lausanne.
OCU cleric buried with Church Slavonic funeral shroud
In the Ternopil Eparchy of the OCU, a cleric was buried under a funeral shroud bearing inscriptions in Church Slavonic.