The Khanty-Mansi Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church and the regional Department of Social Development have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening family institutions, supporting motherhood, and promoting traditional spiritual and moral values.

The signing ceremony took place on June 8 at the diocesan administration in Khanty-Mansiysk. The document was signed by Anton Tereshkin, head of the regional Department of Social Development of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug–Yugra, Metropolitan Pavel of Khanty-Mansiysk, and Bishop Mikhail of Yugorsk and Nyagan.

The agreement outlines expanded cooperation between church structures and regional authorities in areas such as social support for families, abortion prevention efforts, and assistance to large families.

In his remarks, Metropolitan Pavel congratulated social workers on their professional holiday and noted that the current year has been designated in the region as the “Year of the Young Family.” He emphasized the Church’s commitment to supporting large families and increasing its involvement in the lives of newborn children.

The metropolitan drew particular attention with an announcement of a new pastoral initiative related to the sacrament of baptism. He stated that he had decided to personally baptize the third and all subsequent children born into families in the region, provided that parents wish to participate.

“Understanding the importance of large families and offering spiritual support to our young and large families, I am making a personal decision to baptize every third and all subsequent children born in our families,” Metropolitan Pavel said, adding that he expects organizational support from social services to implement the initiative.

The program also envisions the distribution of baptismal gift sets for newborns and official congratulatory messages from the diocese.

Anton Tereshkin, head of the regional department, said the agreement would serve as a practical tool for strengthening family values and supporting parents of multiple children across the region.

Bishop Mikhail of Yugorsk and Nyagan noted that the Church is already running family support programs, including assistance for women who choose to continue pregnancies. According to him, such initiatives include social aid and the provision of baptismal kits for newborns.

The initiative echoes similar practices in the wider Orthodox world, most notably a program introduced by the Georgian Orthodox Church under Patriarch Ilia II, who became godfather to third and subsequent children born to married Orthodox parents. His successor, Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III, continued the tradition, which has reportedly resulted in more than 50,000 godchildren over the years.