Russian school officials violated the religious rights of a first-grader who was punched and taunted for refusing to kiss a cross, prosecutors ruled.

David Perov, 7, was accosted by classmates after a first-day-of-school Orthodox Christian service, the Moscow Times reported. The child, who is being raised in a church with Mormon roots, was unsure how to conduct himself during the Orthodox Christian ceremony, which included prayers, incense burning and the kissing of a cross. Perov's parents are suing Veronezh School No. 3 for violating their child's religious rights by allowing the ceremony, the Times said.

Russia's constitution separates church and state, but the Russian Orthodox Church has become active in public life since the collapse of the Soviet Union. About 75 percent of Russians consider themselves Orthodox Christians.  // Copyright 2007 by United Press International


Publication date: 13 November 2007   

Source:

Archive