Several hundred people demonstrated in central Moscow on Sunday in support of plans to introduce religious education in Russian public schools.
The demonstrators, some carrying icons and crosses, chanted prayers and praised the Education Ministry, which last month sent instructions to the country's schools outlining an optional course called "Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture."
The initiative was harshly criticized by liberal politicians and human rights advocates who say it violates the principle of separation of church and state enshrined in Russia's constitution. Advocates of the course say an understanding of Orthodoxy, the country's dominant religion, is essential to understanding Russian culture and history.
Valentin Lebedev, head of the Union of Orthodox Citizens, which organized the rally, told the mostly elderly crowd that opponents of the course wanted to violate Russians' right to know their culture.
"Orthodoxy is everything in our country," he said. "The Orthodox education of our children is the future of a great Russia."