Tula resident who came to a religious procession in a “Satan mask” faces case for offending believers’ feelings

A Tula resident who came to a religious procession in a “Satan mask” faces a case for offending believers’ feelings

On April 11, a 34-year-old man came to a religious procession near a church in the settlement of Mikhaylovskoye wearing a “mask depicting the face of a demonic creature.”

During the procession, he shouted religious greetings, which, in the Interior Ministry’s view, interfered with the march.

“The man’s inappropriate behavior caused sharp discontent among parishioners and clergy, and they reported it to the police,” the Interior Ministry release says.

The Tula resident was then issued a protocol for petty hooliganism. He was arrested for three days.

In addition, the Interior Ministry published a video of the man apologizing.

“During the religious procession, [I] walked through in a Satan mask shouting ‘Christ is Risen,’ for which I offer my apologies first of all to the priest of this church, the staff, the parishioners, as well as all Orthodox Christians. I admit my guilt, I fully repent for what I did, and I do not advise anyone to repeat such actions,” the detainee said on camera.

Now the Investigative Committee has reported that a criminal case has been opened for offending believers’ feelings in places designated for worship services, religious rites, and ceremonies.

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The mask in which the Tula resident came to the religious procession / Photo: Tula Region Interior Ministry