The Russian Orthodox Church proposed to deprive the Russian Red Cross of the exclusive right to its symbol ⠀.
The head of the legal department of the Moscow Patriarchate, the abbot Ksenia (Charanga), offered the Interreligious Council of Russia such a request to the government, Kommersant reports. According to her, the new rules require coordination with the RAK on the use of the Red Cross also on the clothes of Mercy nurses.
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The initiative was discussed on November 3 at the Interreligious Council meeting, chaired by Patriarch Kirill. Russia's chief rabbi Adolf Shevitch said none of the participants voiced objections. The appeal to the government has not yet been received.
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The Ministry of Health explained that the rules regulate the use of specific symbols of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, and not religious symbols. The use of the cross as a Christian symbol in worship and for other purposes is not limited, the department emphasized.
⠀ The rules will come into effect from September 1. They allow the symbols to be used by medical organizations participating in the Free Medical Care Program, as well as military and law enforcement medical units. Other organizations, including religious organizations, pharmacies and volunteer associations, require written approval from the RKK.