 Speaking at a liturgy in Moscow 's Deposition of the Robe Church on March 21 , Patriarch Kirill condemned Pussy Riot 's actions as blasphemous , saying that the " Devil has laughed at all of us … We have no future if we allow mockery in front of great shrines , and if some see such mockery as a sort of bravery , an expression of political protest , an acceptable action or a harmless joke . " The church 's membership varied in its opinions on the case ; a petition calling for the women to be forgiven was signed by approximately 5 @,@ 000 lay members . Patriarch Kirill spoke of " his heart breaking with bitterness " when he heard that some Orthodox Christians sought mercy and forgiveness for the women . 
