On June 18, 2026, the first meeting of the expert group on the development of methodological recommendations on the organization of spiritual and educational work in higher educational institutions and institutions of secondary vocational education took place on the basis of the Institute of Fundamental Problems of Socio-Humanitarian Sciences of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI.
The event was organized on the initiative of the Synodal Missionary Department and the Synodal Department of Religious Education and Catechesis. The meeting was attended by experts in the field of higher and secondary vocational education, as well as clergymen of the Russian Orthodox Church, including heads of diocesan departments for cooperation with universities and pastors who carry out spiritual and educational work among the leadership, teachers and students of higher educational institutions of the country.
Opening the meeting, the moderator of the event, Hieromonk Rodion (Larionov), Director of the Institute of Fundamental Problems of Socio-Humanities at the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, called on the participants to actively work together on the draft methodological recommendations, noting the importance of a meaningful discussion of the structure of the document and its content, taking into account the suggestions and comments of the expert community.
In his speech, the Deputy chairman of the Synodal Missionary Department for Internal Mission, Priest Anthony Kosykh, stressed the need to develop a systematic approach to the spiritual and moral education of students, taking into account modern educational conditions, lifestyle and thinking patterns of young people. According to him, the document being developed should become a practical tool for local specialists, including missionary priests, helping to more effectively implement spiritual education programs and familiarize young people with the historical and cultural heritage and traditional spiritual values of Russia.
A meaningful and productive discussion took place during the meeting. The participants shared their professional experience, discussed key areas of future methodological recommendations, and made a number of suggestions and comments on the structure and content of the document.
Summing up the meeting, Hieromonk Rodion (Larionov) thanked the participants for their active work and outlined further steps to prepare and finalize methodological recommendations.