Orthodox volunteer services are proposed in Russian cities with a population of one hundred thousand.

In cities of Russia with a population of one hundred thousand people or more, volunteer services can be formed, which will include Orthodox believers. Bishop Panteleimon of Orekhovo-Zuevskiy, Bishop of Orekhovo-Zuevskiy, came up with such an initiative.

As noted by the portal Miloserdie.ru, the proposal was made at a meeting with the leaders and employees of the social departments of the dioceses, held at the First City Hospital in Moscow. Vladyka Panteleimon emphasized the importance of church support for initiative groups of lay faithful who are already conducting such work or are just starting to do it. As a priority work for church volunteers, he named training sisters of mercy in caring for seriously ill patients and helping people who are in psycho-neurological boarding schools.

“It is important to think about those principles and rules without which church social service cannot develop, without which there will be no joy in the heart. The goal of all charitable projects of the Church is to increase love. Our service is service to Christ, this is the confirmation of faith in Him, this is our help to Him to reveal Himself in this world. it preaching the Gospel, ”Bishop Panteleimon reminded the audience.

The head of the Synodal Department for Church Charity emphasized that social service in the Church cannot appear by order from above or be constructed mechanically, it is the fruit of a personal sincere desire to help one's neighbor. This desire can take different forms - depending on the needs of the people nearby - and it grows as a person draws closer to Christ.