Posted on 04/30/2016 12:34:25 AM PDT by Trumpinator
Wed Apr 27, 2016 - 6:43 pm EST
At Easter services, Russian Orthodox Church aims to collect 1 million names backing abortion ban
MOSCOW, April 27, 2016 (LifeSiteNews) -- To celebrate the holiest holiday of the year this Sunday, the Russian Orthodox Church plans to circulate a petition calling for a ban on abortions in the nation.
The pro-life Easter petition drive is expected to garner more than one million signatures in Russia.
With Orthodox Easter, also known as Pascha, approaching, millions of believers -- many for the only time this year -- will be packing Russia's churches, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Church officials are using that opportunity to push for a ban on abortion in the country.
The For Life Movement is promoting the petition drive, with the blessing of Starets IIiy Nozdrin, the Father Confessor of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
The elder told Interfax news agency that with 200,000 signatures already, the "objective is to collect a million signatures."
(Excerpt) Read more at lifesitenews.com ...
Sorry if I’m throwing a spanner in your post. But abortion issues & history in Russia are not exactly the same as in the USA, and not necessarily connected to religion.
Throughout Russian more recent history, discouraging abortion has had more to do with population (control), especially decline in the last decade, and then attempts to mitigate population decline with increased financial support for young children in Russia and eventually leading to restricted access to abortion.
Now if that means they can be more selective and perhaps more restrained in their personal conduct, then that can be morally and religiously beneficial too.
Axios!
Broadly speaking in reference to society and some in the government, your points are valid. But the Russian Orthodox Church’s opposition to abortion is purely moral and religious. The Orthodox Church worldwide is, and has always been, firmly pro-life.
Doubtless. thank you.
How closely is the Russian Orthodox Church aligned to the Russian government?
That’s a subject of some debate. Patriarch Kyrill has expressed support for Putin, especially with respect to the Russian Government’s defense of persecuted Christians in the Middle East. Beyond that some bishops and clergy are supportive of the government and some are not. Your mileage will vary, but broadly speaking the Russian Church encourages patriotism and is very supportive of the men in the armed forces.
See this video of scenes from a service for the troops at Christ the Savior Cathedral...
https://youtu.be/kdMZjqEvXoM?list=FL5SKyC3g2CPCK8Cf1HVtOPA
Interesting. Thanks for sharing.
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