Violating traffic rules is now a sin, according to Orthodox clergy in Russia's Urals region.
Rossia television showed a black-bearded priest, resplendent in gold cloth and brandishing a heavy cross, sternly telling parishioners Heaven would frown on them if they crossed the road when the light was red.
The message is a response to a police appeal for spiritual help to bring down road accidents, particularly those caused by aged pedestrians.
Rossia said the faithful were originally taken aback but now appeared to wholeheartedly embrace the Orthodox Church's view.
"Now I am safe on the street. I repeat to myself that God is with me and Virgin Mary is with me and all the saints of Russia," said one woman in her 60s, adding that she now went out of her way to preach the new dogma to passers-by.
The priest admitted that being a driver himself, he had an ulterior motive for his message.
"I cannot but be angry when people just throw themselves under my car," Father Germogen said.
Local police said the tactic was working and road accidents had gone down.
Some priests have amended their doctrine even further, adding fire safety rules to the blacklist of sins, Rossia said.