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Topless FEMEN activist greets Russian patriarch in Ukraine

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July 26, 2012, 4:16 p.m. | Ukraine — by Reuters

A topless activist of Ukraine women's movement FEMEN protests against the visit of Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill (R) upon his arrival at the airport in Kyiv on July 26, 2012.
© AFP

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A bare-breasted young woman lunged at the head of Russia's Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, on Thursday, screaming "Begone!" minutes after his plane landed in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

The protester, an activist of local women's rights group Femen, famous for its topless protests, was intercepted and led away by security guards. The slogan "Kill Kirill" was written on her back.

Femen said in a statement they were protesting against the "illegal arrest" and "shameful trial" of the three members of Russian female punk group Pussy Riot who derided President Vladimir Putin in a protest in Moscow's main cathedral in February.

The women, who have been held in pre-trial custody for almost five months, face up to seven years in jail on charges of hooliganism for storming the altar in multi-coloured masks to sing a "punk prayer" to the Virgin Mary to "Throw Putin Out!"

Femen activist Yana Zhdanova, who appeared at Kirill's greeting ceremony as a stringer for a local newspaper, was detained and faced hooliganism charges, Interfax news agency quoted police as saying.

Patriarch Kirill arrived in Ukraine to take part in celebrations of the anniversary of ancient Russia's conversion to Christianity on July 27-28.

Although Orthodox Christianity is the dominant religion in Ukraine, its Orthodox church is split into two branches, one of which refuses to recognise the Moscow Patriarchate as a superior authority.

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elmer-елмер July 26, 2012, 6:43 p.m.    

"ancient Russia's conversion to Christianity on July 27-28" ?????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In 988, Volodymyr (Walter) the Great - Володимир Великий led the conversion of Kyiv to Christianity.

He did it on the banks of the Dnipro River - which is in UKRAINE.

There were statues of pagan gods that were hauled into the river in the process - in UKRAINE.

Maskva and Roosha were not in existence at the time.

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cedrik July 26, 2012, 8:52 p.m.    

Neither was Ukraine in existence at that time. And wasn't the first conversion done in or near Sevastopol?

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Mykhayl Aug. 16, 2012, 6:57 a.m.    

Слава Ісу~

The Apostle Andrew preached overlooking the Dnepro; where do you think the name Sndriyivski uzvix in Kyiv came from?

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Mykhayl Aug. 16, 2012, 7:01 a.m.    

Sorry.
Андріївський узвіз, Andriyivs'kyi uzviz: Andrew's Descent

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