From The Christian Post

By Gretta Curtis

The Orthodox Church has blasted a planned Madonna concert in Sofia this weekend, accusing the 51-year old pop singer of showing disrespect to Christianity and has urged Bulgarians to stay away from the show.

"We express our Christian support and approval for the art of singing, which influences the moral development of people and promotes universal moral values," the powerful church said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

"In some of her choreography and stage scenarios, this singer sends impressive messages which, however, run contrary to Christian morality," the statement said.

Tuesday's statement accused Madonna of displaying "a disrespectful and intolerant attitude" to the religious feelings of Christians on her ongoing Sticky and Sweet tour.

Madonna arrives in Sofia after a concert Wednesday in neighboring Romania, Associated Press reported.

According to the 2001 census of Bulgaria, Christians constitute 83 percent of the nearly 8 million population where the Orthodox Church plays a very important role in the day to day life of ordinary Bulgarians.

The Church statement said, "In some of her choreography and stage scenarios, this singer sends impressive messages which, however, run contrary to Christian morality."

In the past, Madonna's shows included crucifying herself on a mirrored cross during her concerts. The pop diva wore a crown of thorns and sings while hanging from a cross on her "Confessions" world tour in 2006.

The Church statement said it also deplores the fact that Aug. 29 is a day of lent for Orthodox Christians marking the beheading of John the Baptist, the biblical preacher who baptised Jesus Christ and an important figure in the Orthodox faith.

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