Kuban: priest, who spat at gallery owner Marat Gelman, expelled from Eparchial Court

In the Krasnodar Territory (also known as "Kuban" by the name of the main river), the priest, who participated in the protest action, which disrupted the opening ceremony of the exhibition "Icons" organized by Marat Gelman, was expelled from the court of the Ekaterinodar and Kuban Dioceses.

On May 15, more than 100 Krasnodar residents made a stand against the opening of the exhibition "Icons", devoted to religious subjects and organized by Marat Gelman, the well-known gallery owner and political technologist. Dispersal of the protesters succeeded only after a report that an explosive device was planted in the Exhibition Hall.

At the protest action, Father Alexis (Kasatikov), the rector of the Church in honour of the Icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All the Afflicted", spat in the face of the gallery owner. The clergy have condemned the act.

"Alexis Kasatikov was imposed ecclesiastical penalty, and he was expelled from the Eparchial Court (ecclesiastical court of first instance, note of the "Caucasian Knot"). I think this is not a temporary solution. He would be hardly able to enter the court composition once again," the "Live Kuban" quotes Father Tryphon, Secretary of the Ekaterinodar and Kuban Dioceses.

At the same time, according to the Diocesan Secretary, the priest Alexis is still the rector of the church, the "Yugopolis" reports.