The trio were charged with hooliganism
Two top clerics in the Russian Orthodox Church say it has forgiven punk protesters Pussy Riot for briefly taking over a cathedral in a demonstration against Vladimir Putin.
Meanwhile Madonna, who had already voiced her support for the band, expressed her anger over the "inhumane" jail sentence handed down in Moscow to three women from the group.
Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich were sentenced on Friday to two years' prison after being convicted of hooliganism.
"I protest the conviction and sentencing of Pussy Riot to a penal colony for two years for a 40-second performance extolling their political opinions," Madonna said in a statement.
The singer said the sentence was "too harsh and in fact is inhumane".
"They've spent enough time in jail. I call on all of Russia to let Pussy Riot go free," she said.
Judge Marina Syrova said the three young protesters showed a "clear disrespect toward society" by staging a "Punk Prayer".
The trio called on the Virgin Mary to drive Vladimir Putin out of power in the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow in March.
But Tikhon Shevkunov, who heads Moscow's Sretensky Monastery and is widely believed to be Mr Putin's spiritual counsellor, has now said on state TV that his church forgave the singers right after the incident.
Archpriest Maxim Kozlov agreed, but he added that his church hopes the young women and their supporters "realise that their acts are awful".
Both clerics supported a court's decision to prosecute Pussy Riot, despite an international outcry that criticised it as unfair.
The US called the sentences "disproportionate", while Britain, France and the European Union also said the punishment was excessive and questioned Russia's rights record.
Moscow police said more than 50 protesters detained outside the court on Friday had all been released and some charged with public order offences, the ITAR-TASS news agency reported.
Among those detained was chess champion turned opposition leader Garry Kasparov, who now awaits further questioning, said Alexander Ryklin of the Solidarity political movement led by Mr Kasparov.
Police accused Mr Kasparov of biting an officer on the ear during his detention, Interfax news agency reported, with Mr Kasparov denying the claim and complaining of being beaten.
Comedian Stephen Fry, one of several celebrities to have expressed views on the affair on Twitter, wrote: "Gary Kasparov, the greatest mental athlete ever, (has been) arrested for protesting at the tyrannical 2 years".
The Russian foreign ministry made no direct comment on Pussy Riot, issuing only a statement on Saturday about penalties for offending religious believers in other European countries.
Edited By Cen Fox Post Team
