Cathedral of Christ the Saviour I. Metropolitan Jonah later described the event, saying that even with a congregation of approximately 2,500, the vast church was only half full. About 16 bishops attended the ordination of a new bishop that day. In 2012, five members of the rock band Pussy Riot staged an uninvited performance in the Cathedral, expressing political opinions critical of the government. The members were arrested and jailed. Cathedral of Christ the Saviour The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour (, "Khram Khrista Spasitelya") is a Russian Orthodox cathedral in Moscow, Russia, on the northern bank of the Moskva River, a few hundred metres
Vladimir Putin 2004 presidential campaign Vladimir Putin 2004 presidential campaign The 2004 presidential campaign of Vladimir Putin was the first reelection campaign of Russian president Vladimir Putin. Putin entered the 2004 election with a strong grasp on power an essentially no serious challengers for the presidential elections. During his first term Putin had further consolidated political power in Russia. In his first term as president Putin had overseen an upswing in the economic fortunes of Russia, giving him a strong level of public approval. Approximately three months in advance of the presidential election the Putin-backed United Russia party had swept the 2003 legislative election, while