“BULLFIGHT CONTRADICTS TO OUR SPIRITUAL TRADITION”. Letter of Alexy II, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia to Vera I. Maximova, President of the Russian Society for Animal Protection

“BULLFIGHT CONTRADICTS TO OUR SPIRITUAL TRADITION”
Letter of Alexy II, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia to Vera I. Maximova, President of the Russian Society for Animal Protection

Dear Vera Ivanovna,

With attention and concern I read your letter about the plans of carrying out a bullfight in Russia.

I am sure that such a spectacle will make its evil contribution into the obtrusive propaganda of violence, with which our society, through centuries brought up in the ideals of love and charity, has lately faced. Our Church bless human creative work, but it says that human activities are not welcomed by God if “they are directed on satisfaction of sinful needs of spirit and flesh” (Basis of the Social Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church).

I shall not repeat that the spectacles, that expose lives of animals and moreover of people to danger on purpose are immoral and dangerous to the society. Even if the life and health risk is reduced to minimum, the kindling of violence cult damage morale of a person especially one of a child or youth. Bullfight is more and more condemned in the countries of its birth. It contradicts to the Russian law as well as to our spiritual tradition.

Therefore Iwould like to join my voice to that of those, who resolutely disagree with penetration of such public spectacles in Russia and especially with their obtrusive advertisement.

With respect and wishes of Godўs help in every good undertaking,

+Alexy, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia