New York

Babushka Riot: Russian Orthodox Church ‘cult members’ ambush sex shop

Woman sprinkles holy water on products in Tochka G sex shop, Moscow. Credit: YouTube
Woman sprinkles holy water on products in Tochka G sex shop, Moscow.
Credit: YouTube

A group of Russian Orthodox Church worshippers described as “cult followers” have ambushed a sex shop in central Moscow.

Video footage from the “Tochka G” (“G Spot”) shop’s CCTV and eyewitnesses’ telephones show seven elderly women in head scarfs, sprinkling what is believed to be holy water on merchandise on the shop’s shelves and shouting “Shame! Shame!”

The group of women were led into the shop by a young man holding a ‘Madonna and Child’ icon, who was apprehended from entering by security guards before the women managed to pass through. Footage from last Wednesday’s encounter has already been uploaded to YouTube, garnering thousands of hits.

“The women looked like cult followers,” Dmitry, security guard at Tochka G, told Metro. “They had deranged eyes with dark circles under them. People from the Church would never do this.”

“I would never think that ‘babushkas’ with icons would go into a sex shop!” Yuri, an eyewitness who filmed the encounter on his phone, told Metro.

The event ended on a violent note after an unidentified man threw punches at the man carrying the icon, destroying the icon’s picture frame and bringing the man to the floor.

“Ahh! They are killing!” Demons!” one elderly woman said after seeing the scuffle. “Police! They have killed a man.” The man in fact rose to his feet, leaving the premises with a bloodied lip.

The Russian Orthodox Church has been making recent strides in promoting conservative Russian values as opposed to Western liberalism. A parliamentary bill that bans “homosexual propopganda”, which critics believe could crimimalize almost any overt public expression of gay sexuality, is being drafted and is supported by the Kremlin and the Church.


News
Entertainment
Sports
Lifestyle
National

Boy in wheelchair left to the side in…

A second grader with spinal muscular atrophy was forced to sit off to the size during his class photo.

Career

Unpaid internships threatened by federal law

For many companies summer has been indicative of two things: a reminder of the office dress code and bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, unpaid interns looking to advance…

Local

Legal groups to sue city, NYPD over Muslim…

The NYCLU and ACLU are suing Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, alleging that the NYPD's Muslim surveillance program is unconstitutional.

Local

Indictment in Greenwich Village hate crime killing

A man has been indicted for the fatal shooting in Greenwich Village, the most violent of an apparent uptick in reported anti-gay hate crimes in Manhattan.

Movies

James Franco wants you to fund his next…

If you ask, they will fund it. On the heels of the successful Kickstarter campaigns for a Veronica Mars movie and Zach Braff’s follow up…

Arts

[VIDEO] Moby invites indie and student filmmakers to…

Heads up to penniless and student (and both) filmmakers out there: It's good to known that not all rich and famous people are using the Internet to beg funds off…

Books

Lauren Weisberger on bringing back ‘Prada’ and whether…

The author talks about "Revenge Wears Prada" 10 years after "Devil Wears Prada."

The Word

The Word: Amy Adams slams Hollywood's diet obsession

"Man of Steel" star Amy Adams may be under pressure to conform to Hollywood's stick-thin ideal for women, but she does her best not to succumb.

MLB

Yankees welcome Don Mattingly back to the Stadium…

Many Yankee fans in their 30s probably had the famous Don Mattingly “Hit Man” posters on their walls in tribute to the former Yankee first baseman.

MLB

Yankees Notebook: Youkilis to undergo back surgery, Teixeira…

General manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday Youkilis has a herniated disk in his back discovered after an MRI.

MLB

Harvey, Mets eek out victory in opening game…

Matt Harvey carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning, and the Mets’ bullpen just managed to hang on for a 4-3 win.

NHL

Report: Alain Vigneault agrees to be next Rangers…

Multiple sources are reporting former Vancouver head coach Alain Vigneault will take the same position with the Rangers.

Lifestyle

A learning adventure at the touch of an…

This app might help keep kids thinking this summer.

Career

The Broad Experience: Asking for help at the…

Women should not shy away from asking for advice or assistance.

Lifestyle

Pollution linked to autism in children: Study

Pregnant women who are exposed to high levels of pollution have a greater chance of giving birth to children on the autism spectrum, a new…

Wellbeing

Feeling jealous? How to handle the green-eyed monster

While we may never truly slay the beast, these tips can help keep it at bay.