Russian Orthodox Patriarch Calls Gay Marriage Legalization 'Apocalyptic Symptom'

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church has declared that the legal recognition of same-sex marriage is an "apocalyptic symptom" that should be combatted. Patriarch Kirill I of Moscow stated after a service held last Sunday at the Kazan Cathedral that same-sex marriage should never be sanctioned.

"This is a very dangerous apocalyptic symptom, and we must do everything in our powers to ensure that sin is never sanctioned in Russia by state law, because that would mean that the nation has embarked on a path of self-destruction," said Kirill. "We face enormous temptations when countries start approving sin and codifying it into law in order to justify it."

Kirill's words come as the Eastern European power continues to pass legislation meant to curb LGBT activism and homosexuality in general. Even as other European nations like France and the United Kingdom pass increasingly pro-gay legislation, over the past year Russia has gone in the opposite direction. Read more