ATHENS

The Last Supper parody at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony offends Christian morality and human dignity, Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church said on Tuesday.

Expressing its deep disappointment and offense at the artistic depictions presented during the opening ceremony, it said in a statement: "Despite the organizers' declared motives, the Synod found these depictions to be incompatible with Christian evangelical morality, spiritual life, and common human reason."

Arguing that the ceremony has violated centuries-old European aesthetic criteria and the classical ideal of “a healthy spirit in a healthy body” that the Olympic Games are meant to celebrate, the statement highlighted “discriminatory and insulting nature of the ceremony towards Christian believers.”

Calling for a Europe that respects and honors its historical and cultural roots, the church said: “Without a genuine, living faith in Christ and adherence to eternal Christian values, Europe cannot have a viable future.”

The ceremony on Friday sparked backlash for the performance involving drag queens, which many viewed as disrespectful to religious beliefs.

Artistic director Thomas Jolly defended the controversial performance, claiming it depicted a pagan festival.