Russian Orthodox church criticizes Paris Olympics opening ceremony

MOSCOW

The Russian Orthodox Church has condemned the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, claiming that Christians were insulted and that a "godless culture" is spreading in Europe.

The opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics has drawn significant backlash for its depiction of Leonardo da Vinci's painting "The Last Supper" with a "drag queen" performance, which many view as disrespectful to religious beliefs.

Vakhtang Kipshidze, the deputy chairman of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Synodal Department for Church Relations with Society and the Media, expressed outrage over a performance during the ceremony that depicted the "Last Supper" with a drag queen.

Kipshidze also noted that the Russian flag was banned from being carried in the Olympics. "If this demonic display had taken place under the shadow of our flag, it would not have been possible to experience a great joy.”

Expressing solidarity with millions of Christians who felt insulted by the opening ceremony, Kipshidze said: "Those who directed the Olympic opening showed their disdain for European civilization and Christianity as its foundation. It is sad to see a culture based on godlessness growing in the center of Europe, parodying Christianity just as a monkey parodies a human being."