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That plan was delayed by swampy ground at the site and then abandoned for good when World War II began. The site was turned instead into a sprawling outdoor swimming pool. After the Soviet collapse, the towering church was rebuilt with the help of public donations and was consecrated in 2000. It has since served as Moscow's main Orthodox cathedral, becoming a symbol of the restoration of the Orthodox Church's power. THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH'S RESPONSE Patriarch Kirill has condemned the rockers' act as "blasphemous" and denounced those believers who called for the church to forgive them. His stance reflects the church's growing clout and has raised concerns about its close connections to the government and its growing influence over decision-making. PUBLIC DIVIDE Russia's leading liberal politicians and some of the nation's most prominent cultural figures have strongly protested the trial and criticized the church for supporting the criminal case instead of showing clemency. Amnesty International has called the three women prisoners of conscience. At the same time, some Orthodox groups and many believers are urging strong punishment for an action they consider sacrilegious. A poll conducted in Moscow earlier this month found that half of respondents oppose the trial while 36 percent support it. The rest were undecided. THE KREMLIN'S STANCE Putin has avoided comment on the case, but many commentators believe that he has given his blessing to the prosecution of the three rockers as part of a crackdown on dissent following unprecedented protests in Moscow against his 12-year rule. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said that it's up to the court to issue a verdict, but noted that some nations have even tougher punishment for that kind of action.
[Associated
Press;
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