Applications for participation in the contest "Volunteer of St. Seraphim of Sarov — 2027" have started, aimed at supporting initiators, managers and participants of volunteer projects, increasing their social status, popularization and development of the volunteer movement.
The competition has been held since 2020 with the blessing of Metropolitan George of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas as part of the activities of the Board of Trustees for the Development of the Sarov and Diveevskaya monasteries. The competition is supported by the Synodal Department for Youth Affairs. The competition is included in the church-wide youth work plan of the dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The competition is focused on submitting already implemented volunteer projects. Only individuals over the age of 18 can participate in the competition.
The objectives of the contest are to further develop volunteerism based on the principles of fidelity to Orthodox traditions and broad public dialogue, to support authors, managers and participants of volunteer projects, and to promote the dissemination and replication of the most effective practices of volunteerism.
There are three competitive areas of projects: the revival of Orthodox shrines and objects of historical and cultural heritage; the organization and conduct of educational, educational, cultural events; social service.
The authors of the best projects will be awarded and invited to the Holy Trinity Serafimo-Diveevsky Convent (Nizhny Novgorod Region) for the final forum, where they will be able to participate in seminars, discussions, round tables, and communicate with leading experts, specialists, and heads of federal and regional authorities.
Over the years, more than 1,560 volunteers from 63 regions of the Russian Federation, as well as five regions of the Republic of Belarus, have participated in the competition.
Six issues of the Anthology of Good Deeds collection have been published with the materials of the winners — the best practices in the field of volunteerism and social service, assistance to military personnel, preservation of national traditions and values, protection of Russian history and culture from intentional distortions. The materials of the collection can be used as methodological manuals for training teams of volunteers in certain areas of activity, as well as as materials for conducting thematic classes of an educational nature.