From June 13 to June 15, 2026, the inter-regional forum with international participation "Save Life" was held in Smolensk, organized by the autonomous non-profit organization "Mother Happiness" together with the Smolensk Diocese and the administration of the Smolensk region with the support of the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Service.
With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Archpriest Mikhail Potokin, Chairman of the Synodal Department for Charity, took part in the forum. Within the framework of the forum, he awarded the winners of the IX regional competition "Save a life" among women's clinics in the Smolensk region and visited the Smolensk church "House for Mom".
The Forum opened on June 14 with the Divine Liturgy at the Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk. The divine service was performed by Metropolitan Tikhon of Oryol and Bolkhov, Metropolitan Isidore of Smolensk and Dorogobuzhsky, Metropolitan Leonty of Voronezh and Liski, Bishop Nectarius of Livensky and Maloarchangelsky, Bishop Alexy of Vyazma and Gagarin, clergy of Smolensk and clergymen who came to the forum.
After the service, the opening of the forum and the plenary session took place in the concert hall of the Smolensk House of Music. "Activities aimed at preserving the lives of unborn children are one of the systemic and priority areas of cooperation not only between the Smolensk Diocese and the Government of the Smolensk region, but, I am convinced, in general, our government and the Russian Orthodox Church," said Metropolitan Isidore at the opening of the forum.
On June 15, the forum continued its work at the Gubernsky Cultural and Leisure Center. Russian Orthodox Church clergy, doctors, teachers, psychologists, social workers, as well as activists of public and volunteer organizations took part in the forum on this day. They discussed issues of interaction between the Church, the state, non-profit and public organizations in affirming the values of motherhood, fatherhood and childhood.
At the end of the forum, a solemn awarding ceremony was held for the winners of the IX regional competition "Save a Life" among women's clinics in the Smolensk region. The awards were presented to the winners by Archpriest Mikhail Potokin. The Chairman of the Synodal Department thanked the participants and winners of the competition for their efforts to preserve the lives of unborn children.
Awards were given to those whose work to save children's lives was recognized as the most effective in three nominations: "Best Women's Consultation," "Best Doctor," and "Best Psychologist." The competition is organized by the Smolensk Diocese and the Ministry of Health of the Smolensk Region. During the contest, more than 1,100 women remained pregnant. Large families were also awarded gifts at the forum.
The Chairman of the Synodal Department for Charity visited the Smolensky House for Mothers Orthodox Center for the Protection of Family, Motherhood and Childhood. He got acquainted with his work, talked with the management and the mothers living in the house. During the 13 years of operation of the Smolensk Church "House for Mom", 682 children were born thanks to its support, during which time the specialists of the "House for Mom" consulted 4278 women.
During the meeting, Father Mikhail also spoke about the projects of the Russian Orthodox Church aimed at supporting families and children. One of them is the educational project "Keys". This charitable social and educational project of the Russian Orthodox Church was launched in 2020 in Moscow parishes on the initiative of the Department of Social Service of the Moscow (city) Diocese. The program is designed for students in grades 10-11 from families in need who need help preparing for the Unified State Exam. Today, it is being implemented in 26 training centers in 19 regions of Russia. More than 1,000 schoolchildren study at the centers. Students and postgraduates from leading Russian universities work with students.
Archpriest Mikhail Potokin also spoke about the support of children with disabilities and shared his experience of celebrating the Divine Liturgy for families with children with autism spectrum disorders and special mental development. Such services are now held in Moscow as part of the "Family in the Temple" project. The Synodal Department for Charity and the Department for Social Service of the Moscow (city) Diocese organized the divine services. The initiative aims to create an accessible and welcoming church environment for people with special needs and their loved ones.
Today, 87 crisis centers for women in difficult situations have been opened in the Russian Orthodox Church. There are also 273 humanitarian aid centers. Those in need, regardless of nationality and religion, receive food, household items, and clothing for free.