On March 19, 2024, the final document of the XI All-Church Congress on Social Ministry was published. The document was approved by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. It defines the main directions for the further development of the social ministry of the Russian Orthodox Church and formulates proposals for public authorities. A number of proposals concern support for families with children, including families with many children. At the diocesan level it is recommended to develop church projects aimed at supporting families with children, Patriarchy.ru reports.
"Participants of the Congress believe it is appropriate to create diocesan centers for comprehensive assistance to families, to organize homes/apartments for mothers/families in difficult life situations, as well as humanitarian centers, Orthodox family placement centers, Orthodox kindergartens and family camps. Special attention should be paid to helping large families and families in special need in parishes," the final document says.
Taking into account the successful experience of a number of dioceses, the participants of the Congress propose to provide for the purchase at the expense of dioceses for large families with a large number of children of vouchers for a vacation for the whole family. "A good tradition of a number of dioceses is the baptism of the fourth and subsequent children in the family Ruling Hierarch," the final document of the Congress notes.
The participants of the Congress consider it useful at the level of dioceses, benefices, parishes to organize creative cultural leisure activities for families with children. "Such events include family festivals, family camps, charity fairs, concerts, leisure and cultural-educational events," the final document emphasizes.
In parishes, it is proposed, if possible, to organize prayer services for the creation and strengthening of the family, for the safe course of pregnancy and childbirth, and for the bestowal of children.
Participants of the Congress believe it is necessary to build a system of measures to support families in such a way that the principle of "plus child - plus resource" is realized. In order to simplify the provision of assistance to families with children, the Congress participants believe it is advisable to organize the work of public authorities in such a way that the principle of "one window" is implemented, and it is possible to promptly receive basic types of assistance in one place.
The XI All-Church Congress on Social Ministry was held in Moscow in November 2023. It was attended by more than 1,300 people: representatives of 219 dioceses located in Russia and other countries, heads of Orthodox social projects, heads and staff of social departments dioceses, head sisters and clergy of the Sisters of Charity, and social workers. The guests of the Congress were representatives of public organizations, authorities and businesses.
Currently, 85 church shelters for women in crisis have been opened, and 265 humanitarian aid centers are operating, where they accept and give things to families with many children and single mothers. Assistance in these centers is provided free of charge regardless of citizenship and religion.
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