A Russian Orthodox bishop says American and Polish Satanists have infiltrated Novosibirsk

A high-ranking official of the Russian Orthodox Church has accused participants in the absurdist parade known as Monstration of “violating” the moral values and sensibilities of religious people.

According to the independent television network TV Rain, Metropolitan bishop Tikhon of Novosibirsk and Bersk made these accusations today at a public lecture, where he said the popular demonstration is “immoral and strange.”

Since 2004, a growing group of creative youngsters in Novosibirsk has held a strange parade on May Day called Monstration, where demonstrators dress up in odd costumes and carry deliberately absurd slogans. This year, city officials refused to allow the carnival to march through downtown Novosibirsk. 

During the parade, no one was detained, but afterwards police arrested Artem Loskutov, the event’s creator and organizer, on charges of organizing an unsanctioned rally and disobeying police. He was convicted, fined 5,000 rubles (about $100), and jailed for 10 days. Loskutov went free on May 11.

At his lecture today, Metropolitan bishop Tikhon told an audience that Monstration demonstrators are “some kind of satanic groups from America and Poland,” accusing them of promoting “anti-Russian sentiment.” Tikhon also complained that “these countries won’t even let in our Kobzon,” referring to the European Union’s travel sanctions against Joseph Kobzon, a crooner who’s vocally supported Moscow’s policies in Crimea and eastern Ukraine.

For more on Monstration, see: A parade of absurdity: ’Monstration’ overtakes the streets of Novosibirsk. A photo series