With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and in accordance with the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, the 31^st International Christmas Educational Readings are held in Moscow on January 24-27, 2023. This year, the Readings will be held under the theme, “Global challenges of our time and man’s spiritual choice”.

Metropolitan Evgeny of Yekaterinburg and Verkhoturye, Chairman of the Synodal Department for Religious Education and Catechization, head of the organizing committee of the Readings, said that the main theme of the Readings was highlighted in the course of the regional event and reflected in the resolutions and conclusion of the related events at the diocesan level. A great number of them pointed out that “new challenges we are facing today will help us to clearly and openly express and defend the evangelical truths that reveal the way of life to us, our children and to all the people without compromise with those who impose on us the foreign “values” alien to us as a nation. If we don’t revert to our patriotic roots, the traditional Orthodox values and norms of Christian ethics, our society won’t be able to develop fully. Fruitful cooperation between the authorities and the Church, educational organizations and the mass media is necessary in the process of resolving the problems of moral education, in the works aimed to reinforce moral principles in the life of children and young people.”

Abbess Sergia of the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery takes part in the 31st International Christmas Educational Readings. Planned for today is the round table discussion themed as “‘Nothing shall take hold of me.’ The practical aspects of monastic life as a means to gain spiritual freedom.”