On September 3, 2026, Metropolitan Varsonofy of St. Petersburg and Ladoga met with the heads of the city's universities at the St. Petersburg Diocesan Administration. The main topics were cooperation between the Church and higher education, youth education, and the role of teachers in shaping students' worldviews.
Congratulating the participants on the start of the academic year, the head of the Archdiocese noted that the interaction between the Church and universities is expanding. Home temples, departments and faculties of theology are being opened at universities. At the same time, the archpastor emphasized, such cooperation should be meaningful and serve the spiritual and moral education of young people.
Metropolitan Varsonofy paid special attention to the personality of the teacher and the content of humanitarian education.
"Having training programs is only half the battle. The teacher's personality always remains a key element. We have known since childhood that the role of a teacher cannot be overestimated. It is the teacher who sets the moral vector, shapes the worldview, defines values and sets an example," he said.
According to His Eminence, humanitarian education should help young people realize their responsibility for the future of the country, keep in touch with spiritual traditions, foster love for the Motherland and respect for its history.
A separate topic of the presentation was the challenges of technological development, including the spread of artificial intelligence. The Metropolitan expressed concern that the development of technology is outpacing their moral beliefs, and called on teachers to help students use new opportunities responsibly.
The Archpastor emphasized that educational work should be based on clarification, knowledge transfer and personal example. Among the positive trends, he noted the participation of young people in church life and the volunteer movement, as well as the desire to create strong families.
In conclusion, Metropolitan Varsonofy thanked the heads of the universities for their cooperation and expressed the hope that joint efforts would serve the spiritual growth of the younger generation.
Photo: Andrey Petrov