A camera crew from the “Spas” (Russian for “Savior”) TV Channel was working today at the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery. The piece the reporter Anna Zakharova and the cameraman Alexander Maklionov are working on for the “New Day” news show will tell about a story of Regina (Sophia in baptism) Parpieva, a blind young girl, and her visit to the monastery. 

Two years ago, she became famous for the 20-minute long interview she had with Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia. They held a genuinely warm conversation during which Regina asked the President simple questions: about his childhood dreams, whether he ever dreamed of becoming a President of Russia, about his preferences in music and the New Year wishes he would make before the Spasskaya Tower strikes midnight. 

Bed-ridden and paralyzed at the age of 10, Regina had decided to become a journalist. She is currently training to enter the Paralympic swimming team of Russia and it is really hard to imagine as a mere five years ago she used to lay crippled. She has plans to enroll at the Moscow State University’s journalism program this year. 

Regina is a wholesome and courageous person. Regina is fortunate to have the full support of her goodhearted family. Meeting Regina and her wonderful family offered a great life lesson to all of us here at the monastery. We found that she is an example of boldness and resolve, a particular human trait father Seraphim talked about as being imperative for the finding of the way to God. 

On her part, Regina learned something new in Diveyevo as well that we will find out once we watch the show.