On October 19, the Central Museum of the Russian Cossacks in Moscow hosted a meeting of the Permanent Commission for Cooperation with the Russian Orthodox Church of the Presidential Council on Cossacks. The meeting was led by Metropolitan Kirill of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssk, Chairman of the Synodal Committee for Cooperation with the Cossacks.
The participants summed up the work of the commission for the year and discussed the development of Cossack education, youth education, preservation of historical memory and ties with foreign Cossack communities. Special attention was paid to the spiritual support of Cossacks participating in a special military operation and the ministry of priests in Cossack units.
One of the central topics was the joint historical and educational projects of the Church, archives and museums. In January 2027, an exhibition and a scientific conference dedicated to the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878 are planned to be held as part of the Christmas Readings. The documents for the exhibition have already been collected and are being systematized. There was also a proposal to develop an all-Russian program dedicated to the role of the service Cossacks in the development of Siberia.
International cooperation was also discussed. In 2026, the Cossack direction of Christmas readings brought together participants from 18 countries. Next year, the organizers of the memorial events "Cossacks are heroes at all times" intend to expand their geography: meetings are planned not only in Paris, but also in the south of France, where Cossack regiments used to be located.
Metropolitan Kirill devoted a separate report to countering the spread of neo-Paganism among the Cossacks. Following the meeting, the commission recommended that military Cossack societies invite clergy to youth events to perform divine services, and members of the commission should promote the inclusion of this topic in the educational programs of Cossack cadet corps and universities.
The participants also reviewed the preparations for the XVII International Scientific and Practical Conference "The Church and the Cossacks: Collaboration for the Good of the Fatherland." It will be held in January 2027 as part of the XXXV International Christmas Educational Readings.