orthodoxrights.org

March 29, 2017 – On March 15, while celebrating the centennial anniversary of the existence of the Appearance of “Derzhavny” icon of the Mother of God, a triumphant, traditional prayerful standing was conducted, dedicated to this anniversary. The “Derzhavnaya” icon is a symbol of the Virgin’s Protection of Russia, and is very venerated by all believers in the country, especially to those who are saddened by the revolutionary plague that swept the country. The peaceful assembly that took place on March 15 was almost over, when the police decided to confiscate a drape with the words “Orthodoxy or Death”. The chief of the police declared that it is an extremist slogan. The carrier of the drape, Dmitry Antonov, was arrested and taken to a local police station. He was accompanied by the head of the “Christian Rebirth” Union head, writer V.N. Osipov, and the lawyer I.U. Cherpurnaya, who wanted to ensure that Antonov is not unjustly harassed. The local police station of Moscow’s Meshanky neighborhood took five hours to invent an accusation. Finally, at 21h00, the police created 2 protocols about the so-called violations – one against Antonov, one against Osipov. All of a sudden they created an administrative pursuit, which will be transferred to court.

“We, the Union of Orthodox Brotherhood of the Russian Orthodox Church, are amazed and outraged by the actions of the Moscow police. The words “Orthodoxy and Death” mean that for Orthodox Christians, there is no life without Orthodoxy. Those were the terms used by the Apostle Paul. This is also taught by the Holy Fathers. And one must stand by Orthodoxy until the end, until the very end. All of this is very evident. On April 11, 2011, the regional court of Moscow declined a claim that the words “Orthodoxy or Death” are an extremist slogan, citing a complex reasoning conducted the Russian Ministry of Justice. In the summer of 2010, the Bishop of Syktyvkar and Vorkuta, Pitirim (Volochkov) defended the slogan, saying “This phrase is not at all extremist. Indeed, without Orthodoxy, we are dead”.

“A drape with these words is hung above the monastery Esphigen in the Holy Athos Mountain in Greece. So then these humble monks are also extremists? The Union of the Orthodox Brotherhood is indeed saddened by the unlawful actions of the Meshansky regional police department, and is asking for them to repent and retract on their action”.

Sources
http://ruskline.ru/news_rl/2017/03/29/my_izumleny_i_vozmuweny_dejstviyami_moskovskoj_policii/