Workshop on teaching spiritual and moral discipline in Secondary Schools
St Tikhon University-Russia
August 3, 2009 in high-Petrovsky monastery had a working meeting of Chairman of the Synodal Department of religious education and catechetical Bishop Zaraisky Mercury with the rector of the Institute examination of educational programs and state-confessional relations, the head of the National Program of «spiritual and moral culture of the younger generation of Russia 2006-2010. », the Dean of the Faculty of Education PSTGU abbot Kyprianou (Yashchenko).
During the meeting, the lord Mercury drew attention to the importance of developing standards for the new generation, the importance of incorporating the spiritual disciplines and the need for joint work in this area, the Russian Orthodox Church and State. In doing so, the head of the Division emphasized that in this area of church activity should be respected соборности based on brotherly love, in accordance with the permitted raznomyslie, but excludes a difference.
Bishop Mercury noted the need to unite professionals in the field of education. To this end, set up and operate the Commission on the teaching of Orthodox culture, spiritual and moral education in the Division in which participated the Deputy Minister of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, II Kalina, academician of the Russian Academy of Education, Professor VA Popkov, other representatives, including the Church clergy, prominent scientists, educators, community leaders.
Lord recalled that the main tasks of the Commission are:
– Implementation of comprehensive cooperation between the Ministry of Education and Science and the Russian Orthodox Church;
– Coordination of ongoing work and practical cooperation between public organizations, the canonical church institutions, representatives of educational and scientific institutions, parental awareness on the teaching of Orthodox culture, spiritual and moral education.
Among them is the creation of working groups and the writing of textbooks for students, teacher, teaching development for directors of public secondary schools, information leaflets for parents.
Bishop Merkury stressed that a balanced approach to the issue of introducing the teaching of religious subjects in schools. According to him it is necessary that the work was carried out by professionals, but the Church must oversee the process. In accordance with the blessing of Patriarch Cyril, coordination in this area should be carried out through the department of religious education and catechetical Russian Orthodox Church. With a special emphasis on the personality of the teacher, the level of his training and his philosophy of life.
Igumen Cyprian (Yashchenko) informed the bishop of Mercury over the past 10 years working on the introduction of the «Fundamentals of Orthodox culture» in the system of general secondary education the country on the activities of the Coordinating Council on Interaction Minobrazovaniya Russia and the Moscow Patriarchate (1999-2005 gg.), He suggested that the Division of religious education and catechetical plan for cooperation in the framework of the National Program of «spiritual and moral culture of the younger generation of Russia (2006-2010 biennium.)», saying that the next event of this kind seems to him OROiK participated in the IV Conference of the memorial memory of Academician VS RAO . Ledneva «Native spiritual and moral traditions in the modern educational and cultural space of Russia», which is scheduled for November 2009 in the walls of the Moscow Theological Academy.
By the blessing of Bishop of Mercury in the above-mentioned plan of cooperation will also be interaction between the parties in the information field (site of the Internet and http://www.dnkrus.ru pages «Sunday newspaper« Cover »).
In conclusion, Bishop Merkury stressed that Синодальный department of religious education and catechism is open for constructive cooperation in establishing standards for the second generation, the development of spiritual and moral development and education of individual students – citizens of our country.
Department of religious Education and Catechetical
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