Clerics: We Forgive Pussy Riot

The Russian Orthodox Church said on Saturday that it has forgiven the feminist punk band Pussy Riot for protesting during a church service—but the church hasn’t forgotten. Tikhon Shevkunov, widely believed to be President Vladimir Putin's spiritual adviser, said on Saturday that it did “forgive them from the very start." The three women were convicted Friday of “hooliganism” and sentenced to two years in jail each. The case has divided Russia: While many think the sentence is a slap in the face to free speech, others were shocked by the message. For example, Archpriest Maxim Kozlov said that although he agrees with the band’s sentiment, he hopes they realize "their acts are awful."