Russia: Prayer and a Warning Against Condoms

Among several World AIDS Day commemorations in Moscow, Russian Orthodox clergy and government officials prayed for those with HIV and told listeners that abstinence is better than condoms for stopping the disease. Clergy said the event was inspired by a new partnership between the Orthodox Church and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

In a discussion after the service at St. Catherine the Great Martyr Church, government and Orthodox Church officials used strong words to advise against the use of condoms in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

"It is a question of sin, of immorality. There is no such thing as safe sex," said Lyudmila Stebenkova, City Duma deputy and the public health commission chairperson. "We have to propagandize safe behavior and family values," she said.

Stebenkova cited a metro ad that warns riders that condoms do not guarantee safe sex but fidelity to one's partner does. "Such family values projects are being implemented in America," Stebenkova said. The City Duma does not also advocate condom use, she said. Condom use has to be "taken with a grain of salt," said USAID representatives.

Representatives of HIV prevention organizations criticized the approach taken by city and Orthodox Church officials. "Our view is to be more realistic," said Alec Khachatrian, director of Russian programs for Trans-Atlantic Partners Against AIDS. "Needle exchange and condom use are documented as helping against AIDS, and I believe in modern science and that the most effective ways of AIDS prevention will get out," he said.

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