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WCC delegation visits Humanitarian Aid Center in Moscow and Theological Academy in Sergiev Posad

During its travels in Moscow, a World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation visited the Humanitarian Aid Center, a church initiative which started in March 2022, after the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Most of the refugees from Ukraine who arrive in Moscow have friends or relatives in the Russian capital. Nevertheless, their need is great. Around 500 people knock at the door of the Refugee Centre every day. At the refugee drop-in centre, they receive daily necessities, basic food, products for personal hygiene and, if they do have children, the necessary basic equipment for them. Many of the people who come to the drop-in centre suffer from psychological problems and traumatic experiences. After initial treatment, they are referred to professionals.

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Fr Ioan in Theological Academy in Sergiev Posad

WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca visited the Humanitarian Aid Center in Moscow.

Photo:
Moscow Patriarchate
25 October 2022
Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate)
Russia
Humanitarian aid
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Europe

The center has but few employees and most of the work is done by more than 500 volunteers. The financing is entirely covered by the Russian Orthodox Church. Special collections for this social project are organised in all parishes. 

According to the statistics provided by this humanitarian center, since the beginning of the war between Russia and Ukraine, 4.5 million refugees have crossed the borders to Russia.

The WCC delegation also visited the Moscow Theological Academy, the biggest theological university of the Russian Orthodox Church with over 800 students (including 120 female students) and nearly 150 faculty members. Male students are mainly prepared for ministry, while female students are trained in iconography and other responsibilities in church life, following at the same time theological formation.  During the conversations, proposals were made to strengthen collaboration with the Bossey Ecumenical Institute and help in recruiting and motivating students to come and be trained in ecumenical studies.

WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca in Moscow Theological Academy

WCC delegation visiting the Humanitarian Aid Center in Moscow.

Photo:
Moscow Patriarchate

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