 Growing ties between church and state in Russia have been a target of criticism and protest . The Russian Patriarch , Kirill , had openly supported Putin 's 2012 re @-@ election , calling Putin a " miracle from God " , who had " rectified the crooked path of history " . After the cathedral performance , members of Pussy Riot said the church is a " weapon in a dirty election campaign " and called Putin " a man who is as far as can be from God 's truth " . This performance led to the arrest and prosecution of three of their members . 
