XV International Christmas Educational Readings ‘Faith and Education: Society, School, Family in XXI Century’ opened in Moscow

The International Christmas Educational Readings ‘Faith and Education: Society, School, Family in XXI Century’ were solemnly opened in Moscow in State Kremlin Palace on 29 January under the chairmanship of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Russia.

The Primate of the Orthodox Church in Czech lands and Slovakia Krystof participated in the opening ceremony.

Among other participants are the members of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church: Metropolitan Philaret of Minsk and Slutsk, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus; Metropolitan Juvenalij of Krutitsi and Kolomna; Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations; Metropolitan Kliment of Kaluga and Borovsk; other archpastors of the Russian Orthodox Church, representatives of Local Orthodox Churches.

Also present were G. Poltavchenko, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Central Federal District; A. Torshin, vice-speaker of the Council of Federation; L. Sliska, First vice-speaker of the State Duma; A. Fursenko, minister for education and science; A. Sokolov, minister for culture and mass communications; V. Ustinov, justice minister; Y. Luzhkov, mayor of Moscow city; B. Gromov, governor of Moscow region; well-known scientists, lecturers, representatives of social organizations.

The forum is held with assistance of Ministry for Education and Science of the Russian Federation, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow State University and other scientific establishments.

The jubilee readings were opened by Patriarch Alexy, who said his Primatial word.

Then spoke Metropolitan Krystof of Czech lands and Slovakia. His Beatitude highly assessed the forum, which faces a task of comprehending the strategy of bringing up the growing generation in context of processes, now happening in the society. Among other tasks of Christmas Readings he named coordinating the efforts of Church, State and Social structures in bringing up and educating children, discussing matters of preparing pedagogues, comprehending ways of revival of traditional culture in the XXI century, exchanging the experiences of pedagogical, missionary and educational work.

Metropolitan Krystof noted that the God’s Law is taught in Czech Republic not only in Sunday schools but also State Education Establishments at parents’ request. In Slovakia the opportunity to give religious lessons optionally is protected by the State law and receives financiering from the government.

G. Poltavchenko, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Central Federal District, read out the salutatory address of the Russian President V. Putin.

After that spoke mayor of Moscow Y. Luzhkov.

L. Sliska, First vice-speaker of the State Duma, read out the salutatory address of B. Gryzlov, Speaker of the State Duma.

Metropolitan Kliment of Kaluga and Borovsk gave his report.

The ceremony ended after the minister for education and science of Russia A. Fursenko spoke.

Besides the plenary sessions within the forum there will also be numerous conferences, sections and round tables on seven themes: Orthodox education and upbringing, school in the XXI century, family in the globalization era, ways of God and Holy Fathers’ heritage, Church and society, Church and culture, Christianity and science.

It is the first time that within the forum the Youth Christmas Educational Readings will be held.