Archpriest Sergiy Rezukhin, Chairman of the diocesan department for interaction with military personnel of the special military operation and their family members, visited an Orthodox campsite in the village of Vyazovo in the Yefremovsky district, where relatives of military personnel were staying.
The event was organized by the Committee of Families of Soldiers of the Fatherland (KSVO), headed by Chairman Galina Grigorievna Fomina. The meeting was hosted by the founder of the Orthodox campsite, public figure and philanthropist Igor Kryukov.
The program of the trip was filled with both spiritual content and the opportunity for a relaxing holiday. On August 20, the memorial day of St. Mitrofan of Voronezh, the first Divine Liturgy was held in the church on the territory of the campsite. The relatives of the heroes prayed for their loved ones, participated in the Eucharist and had the opportunity to communicate with the clergy.
The second day was devoted to a family vacation in nature. The participants of the trip organized a fishing trip, where the mothers of the heroes came with portraits of their sons.
On the third day, a meeting was held with the confessor of the Committee of Families of Soldiers of the Fatherland, Archpriest Sergiy Rezukhin. The communication began with a common prayer in the church at the relics of St. Mitrofan of Voronezh, after which Father Sergius gave a pastoral blessing to each participant, sprinkling holy water.
At the common meal, the priest told about the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord and a recent trip to Montenegro. Father Sergius reminded the audience about the amazing history of Orthodox shrines preserved in this country.
Galina Fomina, Chairman of the Committee of Families of Soldiers of the Fatherland, summed up the results of the three-day trip, and then, with the participation of Father Sergiy, Igor Kryukov and the guests of the campsite, awarded the distinguished families.
In the sequel, Father Sergius talked to the families separately, comforting everyone and wishing them spiritual and physical strength.
Irina Abrosimova, whose son Sergey has been in the SVR zone since the first days, shared her feelings: "We were very glad to meet with Father Sergey. We always approach him with joy, he knows us and our children. For example, when I come up, he remembers my son by name, says "mobilized Sergey." And this participation, attention to each of us gives spiritual strength! Common prayer, participation in the Liturgy, and communion with the priests during their stay in Vyazovo provided an opportunity to relax, feel needed, and be comforted."
As the participants of the meeting noted, sincere attention and common prayer help to find inner peace, which is so necessary in their difficult life situation.
Elena Valeeva, photo by the author