On May 23, 2026, a Divine Liturgy was held in the Church of the Martyrs Flora and Laurus on the Zatsep in Moscow for families with children with ASD and mental disabilities. The service was held within the framework of the "Family in the Temple" project and the All-Russian Family Week. More than 15 families took part in it. Now such services will be held in the temple regularly.
The Liturgy was led by Archpriest Mikhail Potokin, Chairman of the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Service, rector of the Church of the Martyrs Flora and Lavra.
"This is the first time such an unusual Liturgy has been held in our church. I thank you for your common prayer and hope that together we will be able to organize participation in divine services so that children with special needs and their parents feel comfortable and comfortable in church," said Archpriest Mikhail Potokin during the sermon.
After the service, Father Michael had a tea conversation with the participants of the Liturgy. At the meeting, they discussed how best to organize the participation of children with mental disabilities in worship services. Father Mikhail also answered the parents' questions.
Liturgies for children with ASD and mental disabilities will be held at the Church of the Martyrs Flora and Laurus on Zatsep every penultimate Saturday of the month at 10.00. The next Liturgy will be held on June 20.
Earlier, the Liturgy for children with mental disabilities was celebrated in the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Chertanov, Moscow. 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.