Madonna Ignores Russian Religious Protests  9/13/06

Madonna ignored religious protests from the Russian Orthodox Church when she performed in Moscow last night (12SEP06) - she still sang a track while suspended from a giant cross.

The Like a Virgin singer has courted controversy throughout the European leg of her Confessions world tour with her decision to re-enact the crucifixion of Christ.

Father Vsevolod Chaplin, a spokesman for the Russian Orthodox Church, said prior to the concert, "This lady has been glorifying human passions with the help of religious symbols for years - crosses, statues and beads. Now she thinks it is time for her to crucify herself in public. It means the singer is in need of spiritual help."

A Dutch priest was arrested earlier this month (03SEP06) when he phoned in a fake bomb threat in a bid to have Madonna's Amsterdam shows called off.