On May 14, 2024, the Interfaith Tournament 'Dialogue of Religions' took place at the Spartak stadium in Moscow. Organized by the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians (Pentecostals) with support from the Moscow government, the event featured mini-football and table tennis. Senior religious leaders and officials, including Bishop Sergei Ryakhovsky, emphasized that sports foster national harmony and dialogue between different faiths. Teams from Islamic, Orthodox, Buddhist, and Protestant communities competed. The event aims to demonstrate that people of various traditions can unite through shared athletic goals, contributing to the spiritual and moral strengthening of Russian society.
Sergey Ryakhovsky, the presiding bishop of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians of Baptist Faith, issued a statement regarding severe flooding across several Russian regions since April. The disaster began in the Orenburg region, where the Ural River reached record levels, and subsequently affected the Kurgan and Tyumen regions. Ryakhovsky describes this as one of the largest floods of the 21st century. He urges believers to continue praying and providing assistance, such as sending essential supplies and donations, to those impacted by the water. The church organization has established contact details for coordinating relief efforts. This appeal highlights the religious community's response to the humanitarian crisis in western Siberia and the Urals.
The Russian Public Chamber held a roundtable titled 'Violations of Believers' Rights in the World: Year in Review' in Moscow. Participants, including officials from the Public Chamber and the Russian Association for the Defense of Religious Freedom, discussed global challenges facing religious communities. Speakers highlighted instability for Christians and cited Ukraine as a primary example of direct pressure and destruction of churches. Human rights ombudsman Tamara Moskalenko emphasized the role of traditional faith in civil society. Representatives also addressed migration issues and criticized Western secularism, with some speakers presenting evidence of religious persecution in Ukraine during the ongoing conflict. The event aimed to identify mechanisms for resolving these problems.
A Christian program discusses artificial intelligence and the church with a senior pastor. The broadcast covers global news: a US pastor's political bid; rapid Christian growth in Iran despite legal bans; a European supreme court ruling allowing prayer near abortion clinics; a teacher in Oceania losing his license for refusing to use a student's preferred gender pronouns; and thousands of baptisms in a US state marking a religious movement's anniversary. A host presents these updates on a television channel.
Protestant community members in Russia reviewed their 2023 activities, highlighting contributions to humanitarian aid, charity, and education. They also noted strengthened state-religion and interfaith relations. The meeting opened with a performance of 'Silent Night' by invited musicians, setting a Christmas atmosphere. Co-chairs welcomed attendees and offered holiday greetings. The event was covered by the 'Most' Video Studio. The outlet reports that participants were encouraged by the Russian president's decision, though specific details of the decision are not provided in the text.
Vladimir Provorov, Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Russia, issued a statement of condolence following a terror attack on Friday, March 22. The church leadership expressed deep sorrow for the victims and their families, acknowledging the enduring pain experienced by many. Provorov stated that the church prays with all those who have suffered losses. He emphasized that divine light is necessary to overcome darkness and find peace. The message was released by the press service of the ELCR in Russia to convey solidarity with the affected communities. (Source: Protestant.ru)
A global director for the World Evangelical Alliance visited Cameroon to facilitate reconciliation between French-speaking and English-speaking communities. Meetings in various cities brought together evangelical leaders to discuss tensions stemming from colonial history and political marginalization. Participants shared traumas related to past colonial rule and long-standing leadership. The group agreed to establish a working group within the national alliance to promote peace, repatriate historical artifacts, and create a historical institute. This initiative aims to restore the church's identity and address post-colonial wounds through dialogue and structural reform.
The Word of Life Church in Balakovo, Russia, celebrated its 25th anniversary from November 30 to December 2. The event included the annual ROСТ conference, which attracted over 250 attendees, including pastors and members from various Russian cities and neighboring countries. Key speakers included Sergei Ryakhovsky, a senior bishop of ROSHVE, Igor Sokolov, and Vadim Zharov. The conference focused on inspiring young church leaders through social service and small group ministry. Founding pastors Mikhail and Dina Grigoryan have long supported smaller congregations. The gathering featured workshops, sermons, and opportunities for clergy to interact with senior leaders, aiming to strengthen faith communities across Russia and abroad.
The Russian Supreme Court ruled in favor of Pavel Mushumansky, a mobilized resident of Leningrad Oblast, confirming his right to alternative civilian service based on religious beliefs. As an evangelical Christian, Mushumansky had previously served in this capacity from 2019 to 2021. After receiving a mobilization summons in September 2022, he was denied alternative service and sent to a military unit. Lower courts in Gatchina and Leningrad Oblast supported his claim, and the Supreme Court upheld these decisions. Lawyers told RBC that while specific mobilization laws lack detailed procedures, the Constitution guarantees this right to all citizens whose beliefs conflict with military service. The ruling clarifies that mobilized individuals retain constitutional protections regarding alternative service.
On November 21, an interconfessional scientific and practical conference took place in Samara, Russia, focusing on modern Russian Bible translations. The event, held at the House of Peoples' Friendship, aimed to highlight the role of Scripture in preserving traditional spiritual and moral values. Organizers included the Interconfessional Council of Protestant Churches of Samara and various state commissions. Speakers discussed topics ranging from biblical values in secular society to the history of translation. A key feature was the presentation of an audio version of the Bible, narrated by actor Nikita Semenov-Prozrovsky, to assist visually impaired readers. The conference coincided with Reformation Day.
The Russian Evangelical Alliance (REA) held a conference in Kaliningrad on February 16-17 to discuss pastoral care and interdenominational cooperation. Leaders including REA President Sergey Lavrenov and General Secretary Vitaly Vlasenko met with regional church figures to promote a new regional alliance. Johannes Reimer from the World Evangelical Alliance also attended to explain the global organization's structure. The event highlighted the long history of collaboration among various Protestant groups in the region, aiming to strengthen partnerships for spiritual and economic support among congregations with limited resources. The meeting focused on building trust and integrating local churches into the broader evangelical movement in Russia.
The Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, announced that Notre Dame Cathedral will reopen in December following extensive restoration work. The 14th-century statue of the Virgin and Child will return to the building from the nearby Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois church. The French state will formally transfer the site to the Catholic Church during a three-day prayer period preceding the opening. The altar will be consecrated on December 8, with daily services continuing through December 15. The event will honor firefighters, donors, and builders who worked on the project since the 2019 fire. The archbishop encourages widespread participation from locals and pilgrims.
On November 27, 2023, the first Islamic-Protestant dialogue took place in Irkutsk, Russia. The event launched the 'Dialogues of Peace' series organized by the Organization of Abraham's Peoples Union. Participants included Mufti Farid Khazrat, Bishop Denis Truskov, and Pastor Pavel Strelnikov. The groups noted shared values and planned future projects. The organization promotes unity among Jews, Christians, and Muslims based on common Abrahamite heritage. The movement operates under Russian law without legal entity status. The initiative aims to foster cohesion through faith rather than conflict.
On November 20, 2023, a strategic session on civic identity took place in Moscow, Russia. Sergei Rakhovsky, the presiding bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, addressed the event. He stated that traditional spiritual values should be shared globally, noting positive feedback from international partners. Rakhovsky also condemned a recent incident in Khakassia involving Gedeon Bibles. He argued that mocking Scripture violates Russian law and offends believers. The bishop declared he would not ignore the matter. The event aimed to promote civic ideas amid global changes and was organized by Kosygin University with government support.
In October 2023, leaders from the Evangelical Alliance in Russia visited the Khanty village of Russinskaya, located 150 kilometers east of Surgut in Western Siberia. They discovered a small community of approximately 40 believers among the indigenous Khanty people, who traditionally practice animism. The group traces its origins to 1992, when a local woman named Zoya converted and later brought her husband Igor, a Ukrainian pastor, to the faith. Today, Igor preaches while Zoya translates into the Khanty language. The community faces significant challenges, including the lack of a dedicated church building and the need for Bible translation into their native tongue. They also seek greater connection with other ethnic Christian groups in the region.
On October 26, 2023, the 'Good News' television studio and museum officially opened in Medvezhi Ozera, Moscow region, Russia. The facility serves as a production base for Christian programming and a museum displaying historical artifacts and paintings. Bishop Rick Renner, president of the channels, stated the goal is to spread the Gospel to audiences in Russia and the United States. The event was attended by representatives from the Russian Presidential Administration, the Public Chamber, and various religious organizations. Bishop Sergei Ryakhovsky hosted the ceremony, which included a dedication prayer and ribbon-cutting.
The annual All-Russian Vision Conference took place in Moscow on September 15 and 16. Thousands of attendees from the Christian Mission church union and other congregations gathered for worship and biblical teaching. Speakers included Bishop Eduard Deregov, Pastor Olga Deregov, and international guests from South Africa and the Philippines. Notable participants were ROSKhVE (r) Senior Bishop Sergei Ryakhovsky and Pastor Matts Ola Ishoel. The event focused on discipleship, spiritual awakening, and the Great Commission, concluding with a prayer for the community. The conference aimed to reinforce the church's vision of loving God and people while changing the world.
Translated from Русский
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