On December 23, a round table of representatives of traditional religions of Russia was held at the Rossiya Segodnya International multimedia Press Center as part of the Religion and Worldview project. On the eve of the winter holidays, the participants of the round table discussed issues of charity and assistance to those in need.
The event began with a speech by Archpriest Mikhail Potokin, Acting Chairman of the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Service, who spoke about the Russian Orthodox Church's Christmas charity projects. "On the feast of the Nativity of Christ, we see that almost every church becomes a center of charity,— said Archpriest Mikhail Potokin. "They give gifts to children in churches, Orthodox volunteers visit lonely people, and organize concerts in hospitals."
Father Mikhail spoke about the large charity projects of the Russian Orthodox Church during the Christmas holidays. For example, the Orthodox relief service "Mercy" has been organizing the charity event "Give joy for Christmas" for the elderly, adults and children with serious illnesses, for refugees and hospital patients for the 13th year. The campaign runs from November 28 to January 20 in Moscow, Donetsk, Belgorod, Bryansk, Khabarovsk, Rostov-on-Don and other Russian cities. As part of the campaign, volunteers create a catalog of necessary gifts that anyone can pay for on the project's website. Over the years of the campaign, more than 300,000 gifts have been given to those in need in Moscow.
In addition, with the support of the Synodal Department for Charity, the portal "Милосердие.ru "he is organizing a large-scale charity festival "Star of Christmas" in Moscow. From December 19 to January 22, concerts, performances, master classes, and a large charity fair are held as part of the festival. All proceeds will be used to support charity projects.
The Acting Chairman of the Synodal Department for Charity also spoke about Christmas gifts for internally displaced persons and injured civilians in the conflict zone. On December 19, a Christmas tree was decorated at the church headquarters for refugee assistance in Moscow and gifts were given to visitors under the age of 18. Children are given sweets, toys and sports equipment. The wards of the church's aid headquarters can receive free tickets to festive Christmas trees, performances and concerts.
The church aid centers in Kursk and Belgorod also give gifts to children. The Sochi Diocese, with the support of the Mercy-on-Don service, collected and delivered 5 tons of tangerines to the conflict zone. They were received by residents of Severodonetsk, Lisichansk, Skadovsk, Gorlovka and other cities. Thanks to the collection on the church platform "Let's Help", it was possible to purchase more than 4,000 gifts for children from the border region of the Kherson region.
The Synodal Charity Department organizes the distribution of 8,000 gifts in 11 hospitals in Moscow and the Moscow region. On the eve of the New Year, Orthodox volunteers and priests will give them to the wounded. St. Alexy's Church Hospital also organizes congratulations for patients. A concert will be held in the palliative care unit where the seriously ill are being treated, after which sweets and small gifts will be distributed to everyone. The nursing sisters will also come to the wards of the visiting nursing service with congratulations and gifts. 
During his speech, Archpriest Mikhail Potokin emphasized that a Christmas gift can also be intangible. "For example, it is important to learn how to ask for forgiveness and to forgive, and during the holidays to reconcile with others — this is probably the most expensive gift in life, — said Father Mikhail. — you can live without the rest... When a person asks for forgiveness, the world changes from his inner state, he becomes a light for others."