On October 29, 2026, in Yekaterinburg, within the framework of the XVII Interregional Conference on Church Social Service, a session "Family assistance in a crisis situation. Prevention of abortions".
The participants discussed the organization of assistance to women faced with the choice of maintaining pregnancy, the interaction of specialists with medical institutions, as well as the development of church and community projects to support families in difficult situations.
Representatives of the NGO "Save a Life" spoke about the organization of pre-abortion counseling in women's clinics and the interaction of consultants with doctors and medical staff. Anna Kozhevnikova, coordinator of the assistance service at the Odigitrievsky Convent of the Chelyabinsk Diocese, shared her experience of helping women directly in gynecological departments.
The meeting also considered the possibilities of developing such work in parishes with limited resources. Tatiana Nekrasova, a psychologist at the Unintentional Joy Orthodox orphanage for women with children, spoke about the psychological support of women and the restoration of their ability to cope with life's difficulties on their own.
Practical recommendations on the creation of assistance projects were presented by the head of the crisis center for women "Maria" Aslan Alikperov. The Center provides comprehensive support to women regardless of their religion and nationality: it provides temporary housing, psychological, social, legal and spiritual assistance, helps in the restoration of documents and employment.
The XVII Interregional Conference on Church Social Service was held in Yekaterinburg on October 27-30 with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. It was attended by more than 360 representatives of dioceses, church social and volunteer services, sisterhoods of mercy, charitable projects and government authorities.