In honor of Youth Day, celebrated on the eve of July 1, a bike ride of clergy and participants of the Orthodox youth movement "Grace" took place in the Bryansk diocese. The action was led by Metropolitan Alexander of Bryansk and Sevsk.
The bike ride became part of the program of spiritual and patriotic education of volunteers. The 25-kilometer route passed through the picturesque places of the Zhiryatinsky district. The participants were happy to leave the city: they had a chance to admire the vast expanses of the Bryansk region, blooming rapeseed fields and blue lakes, get acquainted with rural life, see storks and take a look at the local landmark — Aberdeen Angus cows in the fields of the MIRATORG agroholding.
The first point of the excursion program was the village of Knyavichi. Here, in the church being restored in honor of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, Bishop Alexander and all the participants sang the magnification of the Most Holy Theotokos. Hieromonk Iosaf (Zhilyaev), a resident of the Gorno-Nikolsky diocesan monastery, told the clergy and volunteers about the history of the ancient temple, built in 1784-1787 by the landowner M.E. Bezobrazov.
The main destination of the trip was the Transfiguration Church in the village of Tvorishichi, a unique domeless temple with an imitation of Mount Tabor recreated in its interior. Numerous pilgrims and tourists from different places flock here, not only because of the unusual architecture, but also because of the special spiritual atmosphere that the former rector of the temple, Priest Evgeny Nebero and his wife Valentina, who died in 2024, created for many years. At the memorial plaque, Metropolitan Alexander and the clergy proclaimed "Eternal Memory" to Father Eugene. The children lit candles in the church and prayed for the repose of Priest Evgeny Nebero, who served here for 23 years.
On the territory of the shrine, the participants were warmly welcomed by Valentina Nebero and told about the temple, which is an architectural monument. The students were able to demonstrate their bell-ringing skills at the local bell tower. After the tour, everyone was treated to an outdoor meal: the head of the youth department, Priest Alexey Ivanov, known for his culinary talents, prepared pilaf with tuna for cyclists.
The highlight of the event was a coffee break at the gas station. Here, the participants drank coffee and cool lemonade, and chatted informally with Vladyka Alexander.
The Orthodox movement "Grace" was created with the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Bryansk and Sevsk three years ago and is now actively developing. Volunteers help at worship services, participate in sports and social projects of the city. During the summer holidays, bell-ringing courses are organized for children on the basis of the Center for the Training of Church Specialists. Many of them have already attended master classes at the Svensk Assumption Monastery — it was there that the idea arose to approach learning with all seriousness.
The youth department plans to hold forums and festivals. Their program will include not only joint worship services, but also socially useful work, fishing, master classes in cooking, pottery and other activities.