 In the statement published after the sentence had been announced , the Russian Orthodox Church stated that while the actions of Pussy Riot were offensive to " millions of people , " the Church called " on the state authorities to show mercy to the people convicted within the framework of the law , in the hope that they will refrain from repeating blasphemous actions . " Vsevolod Chaplin , chairman of the Synodal Department for the Cooperation of Church and Society of the Moscow Patriarchate , accused Pussy Riot of blasphemy , insulting believers and " kindling hatred between believers and atheists " . 
