Moscow, July 24, 2014
On July 21-27, 2014, with the blessing of Bishop Ignaty of Vyborg and Priozersk, head of the Synodal Department for Youth Affairs, an international youth gathering of Orthodox volunteers is taking place at Borodino Field near the town of Mozhaisk in the Moscow region, as part of the Bratya (“Brothers”) XV Orthodox International Youth Festival, reports Patriarchia.ru.
The gathering is organized by the Synodal Department for Youth Affairs, the Tver regional branch of the Orthodox Youth Civic Organization with the support of the Russian Union of Youth. The gathering is held as part of the Faith and Deed International Orthodox Youth Program. The gathering is a special educational platform whose key target is the exchange of experience in volunteer service as well as the development of the volunteer movement among youth and the involvement of young people in solving important social problems.
On July 23, a seminar dedicated to the phenomenon of Orthodox volunteering, its history, spiritual significance and practical implementation was held as part of the forum. Among the speakers there were well-known experts in the field of social service and volunteering. Oxana Garnayeva, chairwoman of the Russkaya Bereza Charitable Foundation, gave an account of the foundation’s history and its current work — in particular, of the specifics of work with the Ukrainian refugees. Olga Abashina, coordinator of the Linia Zhizni (Lifeline) Foundation’s projects, stressed the importance of the participation of young people in volunteer projects – such work can help them improve their self-esteem, meet new friends, and teach them to trust the world. Yulia Borisova, coordinator of the Podari Zhizn (Give the Gift of Life) Foundation’s volunteer group, recounted her personal experience in participating in volunteer projects helping children and told about the significance of each participant’s contribution of their personal talents in such a project. Dmitry Pospelov, director of the Robinzony Charitable Foundation, devoted his report to his experience in organizing hiking tours and archaeological expeditions with the participation of disabled children.
The seminar’s audience was composed of about 300 young people, and many of them asked the speakers questions after the event in an informal talk. The report of Alexei Gazaryan, president of the Foster Foresight Charitable Foundation for the Development of Foster Aid, is scheduled for July 26.
On July 27, Bishop Ignaty of Vyborg and Priozersk will meet with the forum members.
