The organization is on a blacklist.
The Russian government has officially classified The Satanic Temple (TST) as an “undesirable” organization, accusing it of promoting “occult ideology” and using Satanic symbols to undermine traditional moral values. This designation, announced by the Prosecutor General’s Office on Wednesday, also claims that TST spreads harmful pseudo-theological ideas and justifies violence, allegations which the group’s co-founder, Lucien Greaves, has strongly denied.
Russian authorities further alleged that TST, based in the U.S., has received support from American government agencies and has been involved in fundraising for the Ukrainian military. However, Greaves refuted these claims in a Substack post, stating that TST has never supported extremists or called for government reform in Russia. He also clarified that the group’s fundraising efforts were aimed at helping members escape the conflict in Ukraine, not supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Greaves criticized Russia’s characterization of the group as promoting the “occult,” noting that TST does not advocate belief in the supernatural. He questioned whether the accusations were based on reality or fabricated by the Russian authorities. Under Russian law, organizations designated as “undesirable” must disband, and any association with such groups is illegal. This law, which was expanded earlier this year, has already led to the dissolution of numerous organizations, including the Church of Scientology and Jehovah’s Witnesses.
TST’s new designation in Russia places it alongside other organizations that have been forced to cease operations under the 2015 law. The Russian government has also referenced TST’s website, which features a page aimed at helping members fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. The page includes a symbol of Baphomet, a satanic icon, alongside images associated with the Ukrainian flag. Russian officials have linked their invasion of Ukraine to a battle against “satanic forces.”
Founded in 2012 by Lucien Greaves and Malcolm Jerry, TST advocates for secularism, individual rights, and the separation of church and state. Despite its use of Satanic imagery, the group is non-theistic and focuses on values such as empathy, justice, and opposition to authoritarianism. TST operates in multiple countries, with a membership estimated at over 10 million people worldwide.