Martyred Orthodox Christian priest bump
"Any murder is a grave sin. But the murder of a priest in a church is also a challenge to the law of God," Patriarch Kirill said. "This sin will not be left unrevenged by God. And justice will hopefully be ensured by people. But as long as the killer has not been identified, I ask you to refrain from any hasty accusations against individuals or groups."
Some nationalist lawmakers claimed Thursday's decision by the Constitutional Court to extend a ban on capital punishment in the country could have "inspired" the killer. "The priest was gunned down in a Moscow church. This happened when the Constitutional Court had virtually abolished the death penalty," A Just Russia member Vera Lekareva said.
Russian society split over death penalty ban - ....the Russian Orthodox Church approves the banning of the death penalty, believing it is a well-chosen step and it shows the humanity of Russian society. “It would be better if the society lived without the death penalty. It makes people more humane and gives enough time to criminals to be convicted of sin,” says priest Vsevolod Chaplin.