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This Pharaohic Giant Twisting Serpent “Skeleton” Emerging From The Sea Is France’s Most Unique Sculpture

He sometimes used creatures from Chinese mythology to inspire people (as with this eye-catching serpent). It is claimed the message of the Sea Serpent is environmental, speaking to the mistreatment of the oceans.

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BYAARON SPRAY

PUBLISHED JUN 18, 2023

One of the most striking and thought-provoking sculptures in France is the massive Serpent of the Ocean emerging from the sea.

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Serpent of the Ocean in France

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The Serpent of the Ocean (or Serpent d’ocean in French) is one of the most remarkable works of art in Europe and is little known. The large aluminum structure depicts a skeleton of a long twisting sea serpent.

Building Future Leaders Through Laudato Si

The Serpent of the Ocean has been built in the intertidal zone and is one of the great hidden gems of France. France is a great time to discover many excellent works of art – take the time to explore the Louvre Museum in Paris and see the Mona Lisa and other masterpieces. Not far up the coast from the Serpent of the Ocean is the remarkable Neolithic site of the Stones of Carnac.

It had been Rome’s policy, under a profession of reverence for the Bible, to keep it locked up in an unknown tongue and hidden away from the people. Under her rule the witnesses prophesied “clothed in sackcloth.” But another power—the beast from the bottomless pit—was to arise to make open, avowed war upon the word of God.
“The great city” in whose streets the witnesses are slain, and where their dead bodies lie, is “spiritually” Egypt. Of all nations presented in Bible history, Egypt most boldly denied the existence of the living God and resisted His commands. No monarch ever ventured upon more open and highhanded rebellion against the authority of Heaven than did the king of Egypt. When the message was brought him by Moses, in the name of the Lord, Pharaoh proudly answered: “Who is Jehovah, that I should hearken unto His voice to let Israel go? I know not Jehovah, and moreover I will not let Israel go.” Exodus 5:2, A.R.V. This is atheism, and the nation represented by Egypt would give voice to a similar denial of the claims of the living God and would manifest a like spirit of unbelief and defiance. “The great city” is also compared, “spiritually,” to Sodom. The corruption of Sodom in breaking the law of God was especially manifested in licentiousness. And this sin was also to be a pre-eminent characteristic of the nation that should fulfill the specifications of this scripture.
According to the words of the prophet, then, a little before the year 1798 some power of satanic origin and character would rise to make war upon the Bible. And in the land where the testimony of God’s two witnesses should thus be silenced, there would be manifest the atheism of the Pharaoh and the licentiousness of Sodom.
This prophecy has received a most exact and striking fulfillment in the history of France. During the Revolution, in 1793, “the world for the first time heard an assembly of men, born and educated in civilization, and assuming the right to govern one of the finest of the European nations, uplift their united voice to deny the most solemn truth which man’s soul receives, and renounce unanimously the belief and worship of a Deity.”—Sir Walter Scott, Life of Napoleon, vol. 1, ch. 17. “France is the only nation in the world concerning which the authentic record survives, that as a nation she lifted her hand in open rebellion against the Author of the universe. Plenty of blasphemers, plenty of infidels, there have been, and still continue to be, in England, Germany, Spain, and elsewhere; but France stands apart in the world’s history as the single state which, by the decree of her Legislative Assembly, pronounced that there was no God, and of which the entire population of the capital, and a vast majority elsewhere, women as well as men, danced and sang with joy in accepting the announcement.”— Blackwood’s Magazine, November, 1870.
France presented also the characteristics which especially distinguished Sodom. GC 269.1 – GC 270.1

The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan by Ellen G White

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Serpent of the Ocean art installation in France

Why The Serpent Of The Ocean Is One Of The Great Works Of Art

The Serpent of the Ocean is located on the coast at Saint-Brevin-les-Pins in Loire-Atlantique on the west coast of France. The area was part of the historic Duchy of Brittany. Brittany is a historical region that was very different from the rest of France. It has a Celtic heritage and has its own Breton language (related to Welsh and Irish). The reason why the island of Great Britain is called “Great” is to distinguish it from “Lesser Brittany” in France (they are both called “Bretagne” in French).

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Go across the English Canal and head down the coast of France to Loire-Atlantique and see what is perhaps the most eye-catching art installation along the French Atlantic coast.

  • Location: Saint-Brevin-les-Pins, Loire-Atlantique, France
  • Artist: Huang Yong Ping
  • Built: 2012
  • Size: 130 meters or 430 feet

The Serpent of the Ocean has been constructed out of aluminum and stretches for 130 meters or 430 feet. It is a monumental work of art well worth seeing for anyone exploring the Brittany region of France. It was built around 20 years ago in 2012 by the artist Huang Yong Ping.

While sea monsters (like the Kraken) are not real, a glimpse at the Serpent of the Ocean is enough to set one’s mind wild. It is an imaginary giant sea serpent emerging from the Loire estuary where it joins the Atlantic Ocean. The art installation is both simple and yet powerful.

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Serpent of the Ocean art installation in France from above

RELATED:This Is What You’ll See In America’s Strangest Museum Exhibits

The Serpent Of The Ocean Changes With The Tides & Weather

As the Serpent of the Ocean has been built in the intertidal zone, it offers a different experience at different tidal stages. So plan to revisit the sculpture more than once during the day.

As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel’s message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren. When Sabbathkeepers are brought before the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports and insinuations to stir up the rulers against them. GC 608.2

. I have been shown that evil angels in the form of believers will work in our ranks to bring in a strong spirit of unbelief. Let not even this discourage you; but bring a true heart to the help of the Lord against the powers of satanic agencies. RH May 6, 1909, Art. A, par. 15

The monumental image is therefore submerged at high tide and exposed at low tide

The beast with two horns “causeth commands all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” Revelation 13:16, 17. The third angel’s warning is: “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” “The beast” mentioned in this message, whose worship is enforced by the two-horned beast, is the first, or leopardlike beast of Revelation 13—the papacy. The “image to the beast” represents that form of apostate Protestantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil power for the enforcement of their dogmas. GC 445.2

The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan by Ellen G White

At low tide, the water comes up to the tail of the sea serpent. At high tide, the water reaches the head. The monumental structure is therefore submerged at high tide and exposed at low tide. Go at low tide, and it is possible to walk around the sea serpent. Go at low tide, and only the head and the top of the vertebrae are visible. It is an attraction that appears dramatically different depending on the tides, the weather, and the roughness of the sea.

It is not without reason that the claim has been put forth in Protestant countries that Catholicism differs less widely from Protestantism than in former times. There has been a change; but the change is not in the papacy. Catholicism indeed resembles much of the Protestantism that now exists, because Protestantism has so greatly degenerated since the days of the Reformers.
As the Protestant churches have been seeking the favor of the world, false charity has blinded their eyes. They do not see but that it is right to believe good of all evil, and as the inevitable result they will finally believe evil of all good. Instead of standing in defense of the faith once delivered to the saints, they are now, as it were, apologizing to Rome for their uncharitable opinion of her, begging pardon for their bigotry. GC 571.3 – GC 571.4

The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan by Ellen G White

How The Pope’s Letter Became a Movement

While the structure is sturdy, the skeleton terminates with a thin, whip-like tail. It cuts and moves gracefully with the movement of the water, making it appear as if the tail is propelling the serpent toward the shore. The Serpent of the Ocean’s skeleton was also built to mirror the curves of the nearby Saint-Nazaire bridge.

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;Ephesians:4:14, The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. Isaiah:9:15, And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. Revelation:12:4

Photo by Les Argonautes on Unsplash 

Serpent of the Ocean on the coast in France from above

The Serpent of the Ocean is one of the free attractions in France and very much should be on any French road trip bucket list. While France can be an expensive country to visit, it is also home to a number of free and unique attractions as well.

RELATED:What Is It That Makes Storm King Art Center So Worth Visiting?

Who Built The Serpent Of The Ocean & Its Significance

China The Model of Catholic Common Good Social Teachings: The message of the Sea Serpent is environmental call to rest

Huang Yong Ping was a famous Chinese artist who moved to France in 1989 (he died in 2019 at the age of 65). He was born in 1954 in Xiamen, China. He was famous for being one of the most provocative and controversial artists of the Chinese art scene during the 1980s. Many of his works of art are very large and can’t be moved or auctioned.

J79A Sabbath For the Earth and for the poor: The Challenge of Pope Francis to American Seminarians gone global

He sometimes used creatures from Chinese mythology to inspire people (as with this eye-catching serpent). It is claimed the message of the Sea Serpent is environmental, speaking to the mistreatment of the oceans.

It is an inspiring experience to see this menacingly undead snake accumulating algae over the years. Later in 2016, Huang Yong Ping built another even larger serpent skeleton as part of the Monumenta series for the Grand Palais in Paris. That massive serpent measured some 240 meters or 790 feet.

As we near the close of time, there will be greater and still greater external parade of heathen power; heathen deities will manifest their signal power and will exhibit themselves before the cities of the world, and this delineation has already begun to be fulfilled. By a variety of images the Lord Jesus represented to John the wicked character and seductive influence of those who have been distinguished for their persecution of God’s people. All need wisdom carefully to search out the mystery of iniquity that figures so largely in the winding up of this earth’s history. God’s presentation of the detestable works of the inhabitants of the ruling powers of the world who bind themselves into secret societies and confederacies, not honoring the law of God, should enable the people who have the light of truth to keep clear of all these evils. More and more will all false religionists of the world manifest their evil doings; for there are but two parties, those who keep the commandments of God and those who war against God’s holy law.
One of the marked characteristics of these false religious powers is that while they profess to have the character and features of a lamb, while they profess to be allied to heaven, they reveal by their actions that they have the heart of a dragon, that they are instigated by and united with satanic power, the same power that created war in heaven when Satan sought the supremacy and was expelled from heaven. 18LtMs, Ms 139, 1903, par. 14 – 18LtMs, Ms 139, 1903, par. 15

Ellen G White

Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash

The Louvre Museum in Paris, France

There are plenty of excellent but unusual art installations around the world. Another thought-provoking place to visit is Buddha Park in the Southeast Asian nation of Laos. In the Indian state of Gujarat, travelers can see the largest statue in the world, which was only completed in 2018.

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Blue Laws, Ice Cream Sundaes and Their paganism Connection to Christianity

But notwithstanding all the efforts to establish Sunday sacredness, papists themselves publicly confessed the divine authority of the Sabbath and the human origin of the institution by which it had been supplanted. In the sixteenth century a papal council plainly declared: “Let all Christians remember that the seventh day was consecrated by God, and hath been received and observed, not only by the Jews, but by all others who pretend to worship God; though we Christians have changed their Sabbath into the Lord’s Day.”— Ibid.,  pages 281, 282. Those who were tampering with the divine law were not ignorant of the character of their work. They were deliberately setting themselves above God. GC 577.2

But notwithstanding all the efforts to establish Sunday sacredness, papists themselves publicly confessed the divine authority of the Sabbath and the human origin of the institution by which it had been supplanted. In the sixteenth century a papal council plainly declared: “Let all Christians remember that the seventh day was consecrated by God, and hath been received and observed, not only by the Jews, but by all others who pretend to worship God; though we Christians have changed their Sabbath into the Lord’s Day.”— Ibid.,  pages 281, 282. Those who were tampering with the divine law were not ignorant of the character of their work. They were deliberately setting themselves above God. GC 577.2

Posted by Paul Batura | Jun 20, 2023 | Culture

Blue Laws, Ice Cream Sundaes and Their Connection to Christianity

If the famed novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald was right, that life begins all over in the summer, residents of the Northern Hemisphere can look forward to big changes tomorrow.

Summer is synonymous with many things, from swimming to all kinds of fun under the sun. For many of us, it’s also connected to indulging on ice cream. Although it wasn’t invented here, Americans eat a lot of it – over 1.6 billion gallons each year. Records at Mount Vernon show that President Washington spent $200 on the favorite treat during the summer of 1790. The emergence of refrigeration popularized it with the masses.

It’s unclear if Christians eat more ice cream than non-Christians, but as we head into summer, you might be interested to know there’s a surprising connection between believers and the ice-cream sundae.

If the reader would understand the agencies to be employed in the soon-coming contest, he has but to trace the record of the means which Rome employed for the same object in ages past. If he would know how papists and Protestants united will deal with those who reject their dogmas, let him see the spirit which Rome manifested toward the Sabbath and its defenders.
Royal edicts, general councils, and church ordinances sustained by secular power were the steps by which the pagan festival attained its position of honor in the Christian world. The first public measure enforcing Sunday observance was the law enacted by Constantine. (A.D. 321; see Appendix note for page 53.) This edict required townspeople to rest on “the venerable day of the sun,” but permitted countrymen to continue their agricultural pursuits. Though virtually a heathen statute, it was enforced by the emperor after his nominal acceptance of Christianity. GC 573.2 – GC 574.1

The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan by Ellen G White

Laws prohibiting work and various activities on Sunday date back to America’s settlement in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619. In those early days before the country’s founding, residents weren’t only not permitted to conduct certain business on the Sabbath but also required to attend church twice on Sunday.

As the papacy became firmly established, the work of Sunday exaltation was continued. For a time the people engaged in agricultural labor when not attending church, and the seventh day was still regarded as the Sabbath. But steadily a change was effected. Those in holy office were forbidden to pass judgment in any civil controversy on the Sunday. Soon after, all persons, of whatever rank, were commanded to refrain from common labor on pain of a fine for freemen and stripes in the case of servants. Later it was decreed that rich men should be punished with the loss of half of their estates; and finally, that if still obstinate they should be made slaves. The lower classes were to suffer perpetual banishment. GC 574.3

The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan by Ellen G White

Known as “Blue Laws”– a somewhat disparaging term that correlated the color blue with being “rigidly moral” – these regulations forbade shopping, gambling, drinking alcohol – and consuming “sucking sodas.”

Yes – sucking sodas.

Since consumption of soda on Sunday was considered by some to be frivolous and a violation against the spirit of the Scriptures, pharmacists – who were allowed to be open and who ran soda fountains – decided to substitute ice cream sodas with selling ice cream with chocolate sauce instead.

It seems no “blue law” prohibited the dispensing of chocolate sauce, whipped cream or cherries.

Historians believe the term “ice cream sundae” was coined to communicate the fact that unlike ice cream sodas, this treat was available after church.

As for why it’s spelled “sundae” and not “Sunday”?

Different theories exist – from pharmacists not wanting to demean the day and offend religious authorities to wanting to coin a memorably named product – a Marketing 101 kind of thinking.

The decrees of councils proving insufficient, the secular authorities were besought to issue an edict that would strike terror to the hearts of the people and force them to refrain from labor on the Sunday. At a synod held in Rome, all previous decisions were reaffirmed with greater force and solemnity. They were also incorporated into the ecclesiastical law and enforced by the civil authorities throughout nearly all Christendom. (See Heylyn, History of the Sabbath, pt. 2, ch. 5, sec. 7.)
Still the absence of Scriptural authority for Sundaykeeping occasioned no little embarrassment. The people questioned the right of their teachers to set aside the positive declaration of Jehovah, “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God,” in order to honor the day of the sun. To supply the lack of Bible testimony, other expedients were necessary. A zealous advocate of Sunday, who about the close of the twelfth century visited the churches of England, was resisted by faithful witnesses for the truth; and so fruitless were his efforts that he departed from the country for a season and cast about him for some means to enforce his teachings. When he returned, the lack was supplied, and in his after labors he met with greater success. He brought with him a roll purporting to be from God Himself, which contained the needed command for Sunday observance, with awful threats to terrify the disobedient. This precious document—as base a counterfeit as the institution it supported—was said to have fallen from heaven and to have been found in Jerusalem, upon the altar of St. Simeon, in Golgotha. But, in fact, the pontifical palace at Rome was the source whence it proceeded. Frauds and forgeries to advance the power and prosperity of the church have in all ages been esteemed lawful by the papal hierarchy. GC 575.3 – GC 576.1

Graver and far more substantive issues confront us today, and we may find the history of blue laws and ice cream sundaes quaint and even charmingly humorous. But we know there is something attractive and admirable about a culture that prioritizes worship and strives not to offend the sensibilities of people of faith.

But notwithstanding all the efforts to establish Sunday sacredness, papists themselves publicly confessed the divine authority of the Sabbath and the human origin of the institution by which it had been supplanted. In the sixteenth century a papal council plainly declared: “Let all Christians remember that the seventh day was consecrated by God, and hath been received and observed, not only by the Jews, but by all others who pretend to worship God; though we Christians have changed their Sabbath into the Lord’s Day.”— Ibid., pages 281, 282. Those who were tampering with the divine law were not ignorant of the character of their work. They were deliberately setting themselves above God. GC 577.2

The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan by Ellen G White

The next time you enjoy a few scoops of your favorite ice cream smothered in hot fudge, maybe even to mark the start of summer, you might be reminded that you don’t have just the proprietor or ice cream maker to thank – but also a culture of faith from which sprung one of the world’s favorite treats.

Photo from Getty.

Russian Orthodox Church warns against mandatory biometric data collection, Vatican joins IBM, Microsoft to Call for facial recognition Regulation

Dec 14, 2022, 11:22 am EST | Alessandro Mascellino

CATEGORIES Biometrics News  |  Commercial Applications  |  Government Services

Russian Orthodox Church warns against mandatory biometric data collection

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church has called upon the State Duma speaker to prevent the discrimination of people who choose not to share their biometric data with the state.

As reported by Patriarchia (in Russian), Patriarch Kirill wrote a letter to Vyacheslav Volodin asking him to review the draft legislation on personal information use submitted to the Duma on 12 October.

These records of the past clearly reveal the enmity of Rome toward the true Sabbath and its defenders, and the means which she employs to honor the institution of her creating. The word of God teaches that these scenes are to be repeated as Roman Catholics and Protestants shall unite for the exaltation of the Sunday.
The prophecy of Revelation 13 declares that the power represented by the beast with lamblike horns shall cause “the earth and them which dwell therein” to worship the papacy—there symbolized by the beast “like unto a leopard.” The beast with two horns is also to say “to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast;” and, furthermore, it is to command all, “both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond,” to receive the mark of the beast. Revelation 13:11-16. It has been shown that the United States is the power represented by the beast with lamblike horns, and that this prophecy will be fulfilled when the United States shall enforce Sunday observance, which Rome claims as the special acknowledgment of her supremacy. But in this homage to the papacy the United States will not be alone. The influence of Rome in the countries that once acknowledged her dominion is still far from being destroyed. And prophecy foretells a restoration of her power. “I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.” Verse 3. The infliction of the deadly wound points to the downfall of the papacy in 1798. After this, says the prophet, “his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.” Paul states plainly that the “man of sin” will continue until the second advent. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8. To the very close of time he will carry forward the work of deception. And the revelator declares, also referring to the papacy: “All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life.” Revelation 13:8. In both the Old and the New World, the papacy will receive homage in the honor paid to the Sunday institution, that rests solely upon the authority of the Roman Church.
Since the middle of the nineteenth century, students of prophecy in the United States have presented this testimony to the world. In the events now taking place is seen a rapid advance toward the fulfillment of the prediction. With Protestant teachers there is the same claim of divine authority for Sundaykeeping, and the same lack of Scriptural evidence, as with the papal leaders who fabricated miracles to supply the place of a command from God. The assertion that God’s judgments are visited upon men for their violation of the Sunday-sabbath, will be repeated; already it is beginning to be urged. And a movement to enforce Sunday observance is fast gaining ground.
Marvelous in her shrewdness and cunning is the Roman Church. She can read what is to be. She bides her time, seeing that the Protestant churches are paying her homage in their acceptance of the false sabbath and that they are preparing to enforce it by the very means which she herself employed in bygone days. Those who reject the light of truth will yet seek the aid of this self-styled infallible power to exalt an institution that originated with her. How readily she will come to the help of Protestants in this work it is not difficult to conjecture. Who understands better than the papal leaders how to deal with those who are disobedient to the church?
The Roman Catholic Church, with all its ramifications throughout the world, forms one vast organization under the control, and designed to serve the interests, of the papal see. Its millions of communicants, in every country on the globe, are instructed to hold themselves as bound in allegiance to the pope. Whatever their nationality or their government, they are to regard the authority of the church as above all other. Though they may take the oath pledging their loyalty to the state, yet back of this lies the vow of obedience to Rome, absolving them from every pledge inimical to her interests.
History testifies of her artful and persistent efforts to insinuate herself into the affairs of nations; and having gained a foothold, to further her own aims, even at the ruin of princes and people. In the year 1204, Pope Innocent III extracted from Peter II, king of Arragon, the following extraordinary oath: “I, Peter, king of Arragonians, profess and promise to be ever faithful and obedient to my lord, Pope Innocent, to his Catholic successors, and the Roman Church, and faithfully to preserve my kingdom in his obedience, defending the Catholic faith, and persecuting heretical pravity.”—John Dowling, The History of Romanism, b. 5, ch. 6, sec. 55. This is in harmony with the claims regarding the power of the Roman pontiff “that it is lawful for him to depose emperors” and “that he can absolve subjects from their allegiance to unrighteous rulers.”—Mosheim, b. 3, cent. 11, pt. 2, ch. 2, sec. 9, note 17. (See also Appendix note for page 447.)
And let it be remembered, it is the boast of Rome that she never changes. The principles of Gregory VII and Innocent III are still the principles of the Roman Catholic Church. And had she but the power, she would put them in practice with as much vigor now as in past centuries. Protestants little know what they are doing when they propose to accept the aid of Rome in the work of Sunday exaltation. While they are bent upon the accomplishment of their purpose, Rome is aiming to re-establish her power, to recover her lost supremacy. Let the principle once be established in the United States that the church may employ or control the power of the state; that religious observances may be enforced by secular laws; in short, that the authority of church and state is to dominate the conscience, and the triumph of Rome in this country is assured.
God’s word has given warning of the impending danger; let this be unheeded, and the Protestant world will learn what the purposes of Rome really are, only when it is too late to escape the snare. She is silently growing into power. Her doctrines are exerting their influence in legislative halls, in the churches, and in the hearts of men. She is piling up her lofty and massive structures in the secret recesses of which her former persecutions will be repeated. Stealthily and unsuspectedly she is strengthening her forces to further her own ends when the time shall come for her to strike. All that she desires is vantage ground, and this is already being given her. We shall soon see and shall feel what the purpose of the Roman element is. Whoever shall believe and obey the word of God will thereby incur reproach and persecution. GC 578.2 – GC 581.2

The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan by Ellen G White

The Church head cited the 2020 “Holy Synod Epistle” to the Orthodox community, according to which: “the use of digital identifiers,” “automated decision-making,” and the “collection of personal data, including health information” must all be overseen by public institutions. The definition would also include the church, Patriarch Kirill sustained.

In July 2022, politicians approved a bill for banks to share customer biometrics with the state.

Kirill added that the church agrees with experts suggesting no database of personal information, including biometric data, can be completely leak-proof.

“Taking into account the virtually uncontrolled collection of biometric data by commercial organizations for a number of years, the very need for state regulation of this area seems justified,” reads the letter, as automatically translated.

Because of this, the Russian Orthodox Church supports the “fundamental and unconditional right of the citizens to refuse biometric identification, with absolute guarantees of non-discrimination.”

And while the draft legislation has reportedly been discussed with the Russian Ministry of Digital Development and the dedicated Duma committee for informational policy, it has not been presented to the public for open discussion.

“Despite the urgency of the issue and the need to develop a balanced approach to the regulation of biometric data, no public hearings were held,” Kirill wrote.

“The parent community expresses the most noticeable concern, which justifies our position on the complete ban on the collection of biometric data from children.”

The letter comes weeks after Moscow’s municipal IT department pitched the creation of a centralized facial recognition data storage facility to the city politicians. The Moscow Metro uses face recognition, city surveillance systems are appearing in the provinces, to track journalists, and for children’s access to schools.

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