Popular Russian Catholic priest recently banned from entering church after wife wins a pageant crown.
Russian priest Sergiy has been barred from entering a cathedral and has been exiled to a remote village in Russia after his wife won a beauty pageant. Oksana Zotova, 32, has faced brutal criticism and threats after being crowned Miss Sxxuality.
The contest included women from all walks of life, married and unmarried fighting for the coveted crown. Her husband Sergiy Zotov has been banned from officiating in Magnitogorsk Orthodox Cathedral - and has been exiled to a remote and sleepy village church which is 43 miles away after his wife was announced winner.
The priest has been told that he can’t return because of the ‘scandal’, unless his wife -‘repents’. Sergiy Zotov said that his wife ‘understands her mistakes and knows what she did wrong’. Even after her husband gave that statement, Oksana has not repented yet, and instead criticized the church.
Mrs Zotova received a barrage of criticism for her ‘sinful’ behaviour and ‘glamour lady appearance’ despite no photos of her being risqué. She is accused of ‘flaunting’ her ‘luxury lifestyle’ by showing off her ‘red lips, pink skirt, high heels and iPhone’ when priests and their wives should be ‘modest’.
Meanwhile Mr Zotova said his wife faced ‘threats, abuse, and other angry messages’ - and said he planned to call the police.
Mrs Zotova received outpouring criticism and some threatening comments online for ‘sinful’ behaviour and for being glamorous lady despite no photos of her being risqué. The couple had parental permission to marry when both were under 18 and they have been in a martial relationship for the past 15 years.
Her critics claimed Mr and Mrs Zotov had taken a holiday to Barbados which they both strongly deny. Mrs Zotov had to remove her social media accounts but far from repenting over her Miss Sexuality title, she hit back: ‘Yes, I took part, what is the problem?’.
The mother-of-two admitted the contest reached its culmination during Orthodox Lent - but said the date was changed at the last minute. She came back home, asked her husband what to do. He said, ‘make your mind yourself and she decided to take part.
The pageant winner mentioned that she is from a deeply religious family, and her brother is also a priest and that she obeys religious restrictions by wearing modest clothes and covering her head when she goes to church. Oksana said: ‘I am feeling ill from all the constant bullying and has affected my family but still she was getting support from her family and friends. ‘I am a calm person. I am not going to hide or to suffer depression. I had to shut down my accounts in all social networks.’