Priests have criticized Olia Polyakova's appearance in her new music video
Ukrainian singer Olga Polyakova found herself at the center of a scandal following the release of her new music video, “Not the Right Time,” in which she appeared dressed as Jesus. Priests from various cities across Ukraine criticized the video, calling the artistic concept unacceptable and potentially offensive to religious sensibilities.
The Vicar of the Odessa Diocese of the OCU, Archbishop Viktor (Bykov) of Artsyz, explained that such an act is a mockery of Christian symbolism and a lack of respect for the Christian faith, which is bound to cause a scandal from the very beginning.
“To me, Olia Polyakova’s latest music video looks like a peculiar game with Christian symbols, a deliberate desecration, and a form of black marketing designed to provoke scandal and public outcry. The crown of thorns, the image of the ‘Crucifixion,’ and Gospel symbolism are not merely aesthetics or stage props. They are sacred to millions of Christians. When such images are used in an entertainment context, and with obvious sexualization, I perceive this as a profound disrespect for the faith of millions of people, as a desecration of the holiest and most life-giving aspects of our people,” Bykov noted.
However, the archbishop was surprised not only by the singer’s music video but also by the viewers who liked such narratives and references to Jesus and faith in the video within an entertainment context.
“But the most frightening thing is not the actions of a single artist. Every person is free and is personally accountable to God for their choices. Far more frightening is the silence of those who consider themselves believers. Most residents of our country call themselves Christians. They baptize their children, get married in church, celebrate Easter, come for holy water, and invite priests to bless their homes or cars. But when their own faith is turned into a spectacle, many either pass by indifferently or even get carried away by it, liking and applauding,” wrote Viktor Bykov.
Mykola Kapitul, a priest of the Rivne Diocese of the OCU at the Church of the Holy Martyr Pachomius of Athos, called Olia Polyakova’s music video “blasphemy.” In his opinion, the singer’s mockery of faith offends millions of Ukrainian Christians.
“The mockery of Christian symbols and the blasphemy against the Cross of the Lord by singer Olia Polyakova is repulsive and offends the religious feelings of millions of Christians in Ukraine. While Ukraine suffers desecration at the hands of hordes of foreigners, thousands of people of all ages—from children to the elderly—are dying, and a great number of Ukrainian defenders are protecting their homeland, sparing not even their own lives, such desecration of the Cross of the Lord is despicable and shameful. And those who wish to gain fame in this way will inevitably earn contempt from people,” wrote the Chapter.
Oleg Borkanyn, a priest of the Lviv Diocese of the OCU from Lviv, also did not overlook the controversial image of Olia Polyakova in her new music video. He emphasized that a disregard for the Christian faith is now becoming the norm.
“More and more often, we Christians are witnessing how our values—what is holy and dear to us—are being manipulated, despised, and openly exposed to ridicule before the world. A time is coming when the desecration of the Cross, icons, religious rites, and even images of Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints is becoming the norm, an everyday occurrence that garners millions of views, likes, and shares,” the post reads.
Oleg Borkanin noted that one cannot stand idly by when faith becomes a subject of ridicule. In particular, the priest mentioned in his post other instances where the image of Jesus has been used by other celebrities around the world.
“We cannot remain indifferent when the sacred becomes a subject of ridicule, and sin is portrayed as a virtue. For silence in the face of falsehood often becomes complicity in it. Therefore, a Christian is called not only to cherish faith in their heart but also to courageously bear witness to it before the world,” he added.
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