On February 23, 2025, in the Church of Archangel Raphael of the Synodal House of the True Orthodox Church of Russia in Moscow, after the Divine Liturgy, a scientific and practical conference “The Light of Christ Enlightens All” was held, at which the most serious issues were touched upon, which are the subject of deep discussion in church circles not only in Russia, but also far beyond its borders.
The report of His Eminence Metropolitan Mark (Voinov) of Solnechnogorsk and Klin was also informative, dedicated not only to the days of today’s life, but also to the need for a thorough and meticulous study of the church heritage and church history, in particular the ascetic life and spiritual exploits of St. Seraphim of Sarov and his friend N.A. Motovilov, who was always close to the great Russian saint. The report of His Beatitude Metropolitan †Sergius (Moiseenko) of Mesembria and All Bulgaria, Primate of the True Orthodox Bulgarian Church, “The danger and usefulness of the internet”. The Orthodox view of the global network. What is it? A temptation of the devil or God’s permission?”, in which the Bulgarian Primate made a profound analysis of the current state of the global network and its influence on the minds and hearts of true Orthodox believers, aroused great interest and lively discussion among all those present. In conclusion of his speech, His Beatitude gave some truly valuable advice on how to use the Internet so as not to cause irreparable harm to the Orthodox soul and answered many questions from those present at the conference.
The programmatic report was delivered by His Holiness Metropolitan †Seraphim (Motovilov) of Moscow and All Russia, Primate of the True Orthodox Church of Russia. In his speech, His Holiness the Bishop gave a detailed overview of the alarming events taking place today in the Christian world, dwelt in detail on pressing issues concerning Orthodoxy in general and true Orthodoxy in modern Russia, devoted considerable attention to the study of the historical heritage of the True Orthodox Church and the Orthodox patriotic education of the younger generation, and touched upon issues of Orthodox morality and family values. It can be said with confidence that the report of His Holiness is a practically ready-made program of action for the True Orthodox Church for the coming years, especially if we take into account that such important and complex issues were raised by him on the eve of the Local Council of the Church, which is scheduled to take place in the fall of this year.
One of the main topics were the family as the foundation of society, without which its normal life and development are impossible and the fact that our future depends on what values we will protect and pass on to future generations:
“Loss of shame and chastity:
Currently, we are all experiencing a kind of moral crisis, in which such concepts as shame, chastity and moral purity are being destroyed. The processes taking place in society lead to the degradation of traditional moral norms. The widespread distribution of pornography, the decline in moral standards in art and fashion, as well as the aggressive sexualization of young people through advertising and the media – all this contributes to the destruction of the spiritual and cultural foundation of society.
Pornography has become one of the largest threats to the moral state of society. The digital age has made access to it unlimited, as a result of which millions of people, including teenagers, become addicted to corrupting content. This leads to the destruction of family values, a decrease in the level of responsibility in relationships and a distorted perception of love and marriage. Numerous studies show that regular consumption of pornographic content destroys the psyche, causes problems in personal relationships and forms false ideas about intimacy. Moreover, the pornography industry is often associated with exploitation and criminal activity, which makes it not only a morally but also a legally dangerous sphere.
As for modern art and fashion, they are rapidly losing their cultural and educational function. Music, cinema, theater and painting are increasingly abandoning the search for truth and beauty, replacing them with shocking images, propaganda of immorality and aggression. Fashion is dominated by the cult of the body, which replaces individuality and spirituality with the outer shell.
Provocative, revealing clothing is popularized on the catwalks and in advertising campaigns, sexualizing the image of women and devaluing their role in society. Instead of traditional values, the cult of hedonism is promoted, which has a particularly destructive effect on younger generations, forming in them the wrong life guidelines. Modern media actively use images aimed at awakening base instincts in teenagers and young people. Advertising campaigns of fashion brands, music videos, social networks – all this has become a tool for promoting ideas that destroy the idea of chastity and moral purity. Propaganda of “free relationships”, rejection of traditional education, early sexualization of children – all this leads to catastrophic consequences.
Teenagers exposed to such influence develop incorrect ideas about themselves, about love and family. As a result, they become less resistant to life’s difficulties, lose the ability to build healthy and strong relationships, face depression, anxiety and addictions.
Observing the development and rapid spread of such malignant tumors on the body of humanity, the True Orthodox Church should not stand aside. And we are ready to join the complex, multi-level, but extremely necessary stage of the struggle for the minds, hearts and souls of people. This extremely alarming situation requires a conscious and balanced approach from society, parents, teachers and spiritual mentors. It is necessary to:
• Develop a culture of moral education, return traditional values to education and family life.
• Limit the distribution of pornographic content, introduce strict measures to control its availability to minors.
• Support art that promotes spiritual development, and does not pander to base instincts.
• Create alternative forms of leisure for young people based on healthy interests, sports, creativity and spiritual development.
Only awareness of the importance of moral foundations will help preserve the spiritual health of society and pass on to future generations true values based on love, respect and chastity.
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• The future is being formed today:
How to preserve the purity of the soul
Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov said: “These are hard times – people have forgotten God, but God has not forgotten people.” It is in today’s circumstances that we must think about the future.
In a world where information technology, consumer culture and dubious values are increasingly influencing society, it is especially important to remember to preserve the purity of the soul. In this context, the Orthodox faith becomes not only a source of spiritual strength, but also a foundation on which to build a happy and harmonious future. Strengthening the Orthodox faith, raising children in the traditions of Orthodoxy and resisting sinful influence are our main principles that help to preserve inner purity and pass it on to future generations.
How can we preserve the purity of the soul?
Strengthen faith:
Very simple rules contribute to this: regular church attendance, participation in the Sacraments, reading Orthodox literature.
True Orthodoxy is not just a religion, it is a system of values that defines moral guidelines, social behavior and attitude to the world around us. In conditions when social and cultural foundations are undergoing profound changes, the Orthodox faith remains the guide that helps a person navigate life, not lose their peace of mind and not succumb to destructive temptations.
Each generation faces new challenges. However, returning to the spiritual origins rooted in the Orthodox faith helps a person not only preserve, but also strengthen their soul. Faith gives strength and fortitude, gives an awareness of one’s purpose, helps find meaning in difficult situations and maintain inner peace. Strengthening the Orthodox faith through regular prayer, participation in the sacraments and sincere adherence to Christian commandments is an integral part of our spiritual life and the basis for maintaining the purity of the soul.
Raising children in Orthodoxy:
Here, too, everything is simple. Teaching children prayers, participating in Sunday schools, instilling respect for the clergy. These are the traditions of the True Orthodox Church that all other church institutions should adopt.
One of the most important aspects of preserving the purity of the soul is raising children in the Orthodox tradition. How we raise the next generation determines the future of society. It is important to instill in children love for God, respect for elders, an understanding of the importance of moral principles and traditions, as well as the ability to distinguish between good and evil. Education in the spirit of Orthodoxy includes not only participation in church life, but also the formation of values such as honesty, compassion, responsibility, hard work and love for one’s neighbor. And such an approach should be carried out not only in words, but also in deeds. By personal example and personal participation.
Orthodox holidays, reading sacred texts, prayers with children – all this helps to pass on the spiritual heritage that is preserved through generations. It is equally important to teach children to resist external influences that can lead them away from true values. In a world full of temptations and false ideals, it is important for children to understand that true happiness and the meaning of life lie in serving God and neighbors, and not in the search for fleeting pleasures.
Let me remind you of a very important truth once again. Children always look up to their elders, considering them to be an example and imitating them in everything. And a true Orthodox priest is simply obliged to be exactly such a moral and ethical model. A father, mentor, older brother, friend and teacher. If you like, a mirror of honesty and sincerity in everything, that reliable spiritual authority to whom people turn for advice in the most difficult moments.
Resisting sinful influence:
But this is the most difficult thing, because it leads to a conscious rejection of harmful information (movies, music, Internet content), a conscious choice of a virtuous environment and conscious support of moral undertakings in society.
The modern world often offers values that are contrary to Orthodox teaching. Destructive ideas about moral relativity, the search for happiness outside of spiritual foundations, aggressive advertising of pornography, violence and other sinful phenomena are becoming part of everyday life. It is important to resist these influences, protecting the purity of the soul and preserving Christian morality.
Our task is not only to resist external sinful influences, but also to prevent them from penetrating our hearts and minds. This requires internal fortitude, the ability to recognize sinful temptations and actively avoid them. To do this, it is necessary to strengthen your faith through prayer, participate in church sacraments and constantly communicate with like-minded people. It is also important to remember that Christian love and mercy not only to neighbors, but also to enemies, are the means that purify the soul and make it immune to sin.
The future of our society depends on what principles will be at its foundation. Preserving the purity of the soul of each person affects the quality and harmony in the community as a whole. When each of us strives for spiritual perfection and raising children in the Orthodox faith, when traditional values such as honesty, love and mercy are the basis of interaction between people, then the future will be built on a solid and pure foundation. The principles of strengthening the true Orthodox faith, raising children in the traditions of Orthodoxy and resisting sinful influence are not just religious practices, they are the foundation on which the present and the future are built. Following these principles, we can preserve spiritual purity and pass it on to our descendants, ensuring a worthy future based on love, respect and fidelity to God’s commandments.
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In conclusion, I would like to say the following.
We live in an era when sin and moral decay are presented as the norm, and truth is replaced by lies. However, God left us the path to salvation – following His commandments. A person who neglects the truth loses his bearings, and a nation that forgets its faith is doomed to spiritual degeneration. Therefore, every true Orthodox Christian is obliged to strengthen faith, raise children in Orthodox traditions and actively participate in the life of the Church. Only through repentance, humility, prayer and struggle with passions can we achieve salvation and preserve the spiritual strength of Russia. May the Lord strengthen us on this path. Amen.”
At the end of the conference, a Resolution was adopted, summing up all the issues discussed and incorporating the main proposals made during the five-hour discussion.
Following the conference, it is planned to publish an almanac, including all the reports and speeches.
Source: Information and Analytical Department of the True Orthodox Church
Illustration: Orthodox icon “Sermon on the Mountain”.
