Bishop Diomid vs supporters of the Patriarch of Moscow

Moscow, June 24, (Interfax) - Supporters of Diomid, the Bishop of Anadyr and Chukotka, put up a fight with Nashi youth movement who came to the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour to show their support of Patriarch Alexy II.

The Union of Orthodox Citizens told the Interfax-Religion correspondent that Nashi carried slogans which read "Hand off His Holiness!", "We are not Scared of Numbers", "Together with Council", etc. The slogans scandalized supporters of Bishop Diomid known for his controversial calls to isolate the Russian Orthodox Church. You will remember Bishop Hilarion, Metropolitan Kliment, and DECR Deputy Chairman Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin dressing down said bishop and people of his mentality in days past.

"About 20 supporters of Diomid attacked members of Nashi and tore about 10 posters to pieces. A young girl who came to support Patriarch Alexy II had light bodily injuries," a member of the Union of Orthodox Citizens told the agency.

Two hours later, a small group of Nashi movement members took to the Cathedral again. Aggressive supporters of Diomid went out to meet them halfway, the agency's source said.

The ideological rivals entered into a short dispute. Nashi blamed the bishop's supporters for their attempt to divide the Church, and their opponents answered that Orthodox believers should not wear ties, claiming that this accessory was "Masonic".

In a bid to continue this discussion, the bishop's supporters rushed at the young people shouting "Judes!" and started beating them with an icon on their heads. Diomid's supporters tore Nashi's poster "Orthodox Culture to Every School!" and the leaflets calling to support Patriarch Alexy II, the unified Russian Church and develop missionary efforts.