Koroljeva l.А., Koroljev А.А., Melnichenko O.V.

RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH AND YOUTH IN THE MODERN RUSSIAN SOCIETY

In article activity of Russian Orthodox Church concerning youth in a modern Russian society is analyzed.

Keywords: Russia, youth, Russian Orthodox Church

In second half 1980th in the Russian society religious «Renaissance» is observed. But by the end of 1990th inflow believing in Church actually has stopped, the resource almost has been completely settled. And the religious organizations including Russian Orthodox Church, start to show already regular and consecutive activity concerning youth.

The Russian Orthodox Church gives particular attention to youth as it makes the future of development of the Russian society. Patriarch Alex II, paying attention to actualization of activity of Russian Orthodox Church concerning youth, notices: «We speak about necessity of expansion of presence of Orthodoxy for a society for advantage of the state and all society» since «any religious or not religious belief shouldn't become a precipice … between the person and the bases of the civilization of the country» [2, 5-9].

In 1991 at congress of orthodox youth Vsetserkovnoe orthodox youth movement has been created. Main objectives of the movement have been designated as «creation of the diocesan youth centers for realization of church youth programs; carrying out of seminars concerning youth activity of Church; spiritual education the children's organizations using in the work new for us, but scout technique which has successfully proved in orthodox abroad; information and publishing; development of cooperation with the Christian and secular youth not political organizations, including the international; interaction with Committee on affairs of youth of the Government of the Russian Federation both other state and public structures with a view of coordination of the state youth policy» [1, 2].

In 2000 the Synod Department on the youth affairs, having by the purpose activization of mission in the youth environment and increase of church activity of the young has been formed. Besides, the department should promote creation of information field for orthodox youth, prepare teachers for activity on traditional spiritually-moral education of children and youthes etc.

Since 2001 under the decision of the Anniversary Arhierejsky Cathedral diocesan Departments on youth affairs in all initial territory of Russian Orthodox Church start to be created. From now on annually the All-Russia congresses of orthodox youth in Stavropol, Syktyvkar, Tambov etc. began to be spent

In 2002 the «All-Russia orthodox youth movement» and the children's organization «Brotherhood of orthodox pathfinders» has been founded. Now local branches of these organizations are created in 32 dioceses of Russian Orthodox Church. Key lines of activity of the given organizations are cooperation with the children's and teenage youth organizations, coordination of activity orthodox youth the organization of the Russian Federation both missionary and spiritually-educational, social, moral-political service of youth, among youth and for youth.

Since 2007 separate Youth Christmas readings pass in frameworks of the International Christmas educational readings.

In a mass order in Russia Sunday schools start to function, there is a system of the general orthodox formation and education. Patriarch Alex II has underlined that Russian Orthodox Church, having had an opportunity «openly to be engaged in educational activity, gives attention to this sphere of the life more and more» [2, 4].

The Russian Orthodox Church initiates introduction in average educational institutions of a subject «Basis of orthodox culture» which should acquaint from culturological positions pupils with bases of traditional religion of the country.

Thus, practice has shown that «the clergy as a whole has accepted ideas of orthodox youth service and … has felt its taste». And though the church has no sufficient experience of a practical embodiment of such ideas that causes serious difficulties at attempt of their realization, its position in business of youth service becomes every year more and more accurate» [3, 264]. 

Supporting as a whole constructive undertakings of Russian Orthodox Church in respect of youth education, the state should observe accurately norms of the confessional legislation, without breaking thus the rights of other religions and the faithless population of Russia.

Literature

1. The report of the archbishop Kostroma and Galichsky Alexander, chairman Vsetserkovnogo of orthodox youth movement of the Moscow Patriarchy // Church bulletin. 2004. № 19/20. Р. 2-4.

2. Patriarch Alex II. Service to business of Christian education. М., 2008.

3. Shimansky O.V. Svoboda sovesti and the youth policy of Russian Orthodox Church // Freedom of worship in Russia: historical and modern aspects. SPb., 2009.