Crimean priests of UOC (MP) call children to faithful service to Russia

In Sevastopol, the results of intellectual tournament “Patriots of Russia” dedicated to Russian admiral Mikhail Lazarev were summarized. It was announced by the website of Simferopol and Crimean Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), Prisoned Crimea reports.

The branch of Moscow State University in Sevastopol hosted the awards ceremony. 15 teams participated in the tournament, which was held from March 4 to May 16.

Representatives of local occupation authorities, the Russian Black Sea Fleet, Sevastopol decorum UOC MP and NGOs came to congratulate the participants. One of the stages of the tournament was organized by the Dean of Sevastopol and took place in Sunday school of St. Vladimir's Cathedral in Kherson.

Dean of Sevastopol District Archpriest Serhiy Halyuta addressed the participants and winners of the tournament with a welcoming speech:

“Participation in this event allowed all of you to get closer to the history of our country, our motherland. Admiral Lazarev is a scholar, a prominent military leader, architect, and he is a great orthodox man. Mikhail Lazarev built two churchesin Sevastopol: the Church of St Michael the Archangel and the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. This is a man who repeatedly appealed to the emperor asking about the spiritual care of the people who came to serve in Sevastopol, who created the city of Sevastopol. Through this tournament, you became closer to this history. You have learnt that he was a great geographer, the discoverer of Antarctica, a great winner, a great Orthodox man. And it is very precious to your soul. May God grant you that the experience that you gained today, and the memory ofa great compatriot you received enabled you to serve Russia as honestly as Mikhail Petrovich Lazarev did.”

Meanwhile, the diocese has reported that starting from July 4,on the blessing of Metropolitan of Simferopol and Crimea Lazar the classes of general physical training with elements of self-defense will be held for 10-year-old children in Sevastopol. The aim of this program is the spiritual and patriotic education and preparing young men for service in the armed forces of Russia. Classes are held for free of by qualified instructors of dogfight "Association of Crimean Knights."