June 27, 2018 Deputy Chairman of the Synodal Department for Church charity and social service priest Alexander Alyoshin met with participants of the Summer Institute for representatives of the Orthodox Church in America, organized by the Church postgraduate and doctoral school named saints Cyril and Methodius, according to patriarhiei.
In the meeting in the Synodal Department for charity was attended by the clergy of the Local Orthodox Church in America — representatives of the academic community, clergy, heads of structural divisions of the Orthodox Church in America. The delegation was headed by the Bishop of Santa-Ross, Daniel, vicar of the diocese of San Francisco and the West.
During the conversation, priest Alexander Alyoshin told the guests about the social service of the Russian Orthodox Church and familiarized them with the characteristics of the work of the Synodal Department for charity.
“His Holiness attaches great importance to the Church social work itself is an example of service to others, — said the father of Alexander. Every year on Christmas and Easter, His Holiness attending our social projects — for example, in January 2018, the Primate talked to the homeless in the “Hangar of salvation”. On the eve of its 70th anniversary, he asked the rectors of Moscow churches not to give him flowers, and to direct these funds to purchase equipment for the hospital of St. Alexius, where they treat the needy, and since then it has become a tradition”.
The Synodal Department oversees all of the Church’s social projects, said the priest. Currently, these projects more than 4,500, including more than 70 rehabilitation centres for drug addicts, 55 shelters for pregnant women and women with children, 95 shelters for the homeless, 400 projects for the disabled. Each year largely through the work of the Synodal Department for charity in Russia there are 6-7 new shelters for mothers to 10 new rehabilitation structures for dependent and.
After the meeting in the Synodal Department representatives of the Orthodox Church in America, accompanied by the priest of Alexander Alyoshin visited Moscow “the Hangar of salvation”. Here the homeless can get a warm shelter in the cold season, hot food and first aid, new clothes and to take the free Barber, said the head of the homeless of the Synodal Department for charity Irina Meshkova. Social workers help to restore the lost documents, to return home.
The priority of the Church’s social Ministry is to help pregnant women and mothers in a crisis situation — it is his Holiness Patriarch Kirill spoke at the bishops ‘ Council in 2017. Deputy Chairman of the Synodal Department for charity also stressed that currently protivobolevoe business is conducted in 75 cities of Russia, the Church operates more than 160 humanitarian assistance centres, and by the end of this year planned to increase their number.
On the work of the crisis center “Home for mom” the participants of the Summer Institute told his supervisor, one of the founders and the first coordinator of the Center for humanitarian aid for the needy Orthodox service of assistance “Mercy” and the head of the protection of maternity of the Synodal Department for charity Maria studenikina.
Summer Institute for representatives of the Orthodox Church in America held in Moscow from 22 to 29 June. The Summer Institute — a visit to the Synodal institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church, monasteries and temples of Moscow and Moscow region, as well as historical attractions. In addition, guests will attend a number of higher Orthodox theological schools — the post-graduate and doctoral studies name of saints Cyril and Methodius, Moscow spiritual Academy and the Sretensky theological Seminary, St. Tikhon’s Orthodox humanitarian University.
Photo: diaconia.ru