Patriarch Kirill Criticizes Natalia Poklonskaya for Congratulating Russians on the Celtic Holiday of Samhain

The Head of the Russian Orthodox Church has spoken out against the former Crimean prosecutor for her support of a pagan holiday.

Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, has criticized former Crimean prosecutor Natalia Poklonskaya for congratulating Russians on the Celtic holiday of Samhain.

In a statement released on the church's website, Patriarch Kirill said that Poklonskaya's actions were "inappropriate" and "unacceptable" for a member of the Orthodox faith. He added that Samhain is a "pagan holiday" that has no place in Russian society.

Poklonskaya, who is a vocal supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been a controversial figure since her appointment as Crimea's prosecutor in 2014. She has been accused of human rights abuses and of promoting a pro-Russian agenda in Crimea.

Her decision to congratulate Russians on Samhain has drawn particular ire from the Russian Orthodox Church, which sees the holiday as a threat to its authority. Samhain is a Gaelic festival that marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. It is traditionally celebrated on October 31st.

Patriarch Kirill's criticism of Poklonskaya is the latest in a series of clashes between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Kremlin. In recent years, the church has become increasingly critical of the government's policies, particularly on issues related to religion and morality.

The conflict between the church and the state is likely to continue as the Kremlin seeks to assert its control over Russian society. The church, for its part, is determined to maintain its independence and to defend its traditional values.