Circassian Congress finds Creeping Crosses in Adygea to be a provocation, Caucasian Knot

January 30, 2010, Caucasian Knot

The erection of Orthodox Creeping Crosses in Adygea causes dissatisfaction among the Circassian community of the republic. Murat Berzegov, head of the Circassian Congress, treats the erection of crosses as provocation; while the "Adyge Khasse" asks the President of the republic to interfere with the situation. In the turn, representatives of the Orthodox Chur ch are indignant with the facts of damaging the crosses and believe it to be desecration of relics.

"In the mountains, they have the task to erect these many-meters-long iron crosses on every peak. I don't know how they climb there and bring crosses, but even on the sacred mountain, where Adygs prayed to their god, even there - a cross was installed. Then, we stated that it was a pure provocation and that everything that has to do with religious attributes should be installed in the territory allocated for the particular religion," Mr Berzegov has emphasized in his interview to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Activists of the "Adyge Khasse" also repeatedly opposed the erection of crosses along highways and at entrance to settlements in Adygea, since they are perceived as propaganda of religious superiority.

The "Caucasian Knot" was informed at the Maikop and Adyg Eparchies of the Russian Orthodox Church that installation of crosses is made upon the permit of local authorities. Priests are convinced that there is no encroachment on the rights of believers of other confessions.

Earlier, the President of the republic noted, when making his comments on the problem, that the cross issue requires a thorough study, since it is in the interface of religious and legal norms.