Members of Russia’s Night Wolves bikers movement gathered in central Moscow on Sunday to mark the opening of the biker season – and support the Russian Orthodox Church following a series of scandalous incidents in Russian churches.
The Night Wolves rode through central Moscow on Saturday, their bikes decorated with balloons with the words “Christ is Risen” inscribed on them.
The balloons were to demonstrate support for the Russian Orthodox Church following a series of recent scandalous incidents in several Russian churches, including the beating of a priest, the desecration of icons and a ‘punk prayer service’ performed by Russian female punk band Pussy Riot in Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior. On Sunday, special prayer services are planned to take place in Orthodox churches across the country in support of the Church and its holy sites.
“I am against those possessed by the devil, those who laugh at the believers. That is why we decided to combine the biker season opening with a rally to protect Patriarch Kirill [of Moscow and All Russia] and the Russian Orthodox Church,” Alexander Zaldostanov (on the picture), the Night Wolves’ leader, said.
The Night Wolves’ rally was part of a larger car rally organized by supporters of Patriarch Kirill and the Church in central Moscow on Saturday.
Several hundred people took part in the car rally.
The rally was authorized by the authorities.
