On Saturday 29 September, on the eve of International Day of the Deaf in the Church of St. Prince Alexander Nevsky at MGIMO will take place the official opening of the new branch “of the Hand” Center for work with deaf and hard of hearing.
“It’s no secret that our Church education is among the priorities, – said the rector of the Church Archpriest Igor Fomin. – We have a Ministry to people of various ages and ranks. And I’m honored that we will now be able to offer systemic assistance and people with restrictions on hearing, and on their native sign language”.
Center “the Hand” in 2015 is under the temple of All Saints resplendent in the Russian land, Novokosino. To open a new branch largely contributed to the wise position of Bishop Panteleimon (Shatov), Chairman of the Synodal Department for Church charity and social service. Watching successful development work with naslyshke, in 2017, he decided to take the cleric of the Church in Novokosino in Eastern Moscow and at that time the head of the Center in one of the temples in the West of the capital, to establish this important work in a new place. And led while the Western Vicariate of the Moscow diocese, Bishop Tikhon (Shevkunov) has identified young professional in the Church at MGIMO, which is famous for its linguistic diversity.
“Of course, voluntarily to part with the personnel resources is a difficult decision for the Manager, – said the rector of the Church in Novokosino Archpriest Mikhail Zazvonov. But, as experience shows, the risk pays off. I am very glad to joint cooperation with the Alexander Nevsky Church in the field of social service. To our “right Hand” is not just geographical expansion, is proof that good business can unite, despite any obstacles.”
The opening of the new branch coincides with the conference, which will be presented to the high-tech development in the field of education of deaf and hard of hearing – Android app for smartphones. Soon any deaf for whom sign language is the native can make use of a new product – a modern translation into Russian sign language gospel of Mark. Painstaking translation process for the benefit of the community of people with disabilities by ear for the past half year is the “Bible” together with “right Hand”. Gestures are the most relevant to the sense of the original Greek language, choose the bearers of Russian sign language. The first fruits of this long work is published in open access on the Internet.
“For us, this translation project was a real challenge – shared by the Director of the Institute Vitaliy Warriors. For the first time the text of the Bible translation have to capture not on paper but on video. This task requires the development of innovative technologies and, of course, the exertion of all creative forces.”
The beginning of the Liturgy with sign language translation: 9.00
The conference “Translation of the gospel of Mark in Russian sign language: Traditions and innovations”: 12.00
Background: In the Russian Federation is home to about 200 thousand people with limited hearing capabilities. Currently, more than 60 parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church on the territory of the Russian Federation carries out systematic educational and spiritual and pastoral work. For most deaf communication language is Russian sign language. The center of “Hand” which is a three-time winner of the grant competition “Orthodox initiative”, is actively developing educational YouTube channel for the deaf. In the near future on it, in addition to other headings, you will see “Videorubber and interpretation of the divine Liturgy in Russian sign language”.