International scientific and practical conference opened in Smolensk Theological Seminary

The Second All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference “Smolensk Readings” was opened in the Smolensk Orthodox Theological Seminary. Legacy of S.A. Rachinsky, dedicated to the social, pedagogical and educational activities of Sergei Aleksandrovich Rachinsky. The event was attended by representatives of various spiritual and secular educational organizations.

Among the honored guests of the conference were Metropolitan Isidor of Smolensk and Dorogobuga and Bishop Silouan of Rzhev and Toropetsk. Before the beginning of the official part, the rector of the seminary, Priest Dimitry Gamilovsky, held a tour of the complex for the bishops, during which he spoke about the implementation of the project of the theological school “Pokrovskaya Krucha”.

The solemn beginning of the conference was marked by the performance of the mixed choir of the seminary under the leadership of Priest Oleg Efimov, after which the welcoming words of Metropolitan Isidor and Bishop Silouan were sounded.

In his address, Metropolitan Isidor stressed that this conference reflects the significant scientific and educational works that students and teaching staff of the theological school of the Smolensk region make. He also noted that the Smolensk Orthodox Theological Seminary is one of the oldest educational institutions in the Fatherland, both among secular universities and within the Russian Orthodox Church.

The conference program involves hearing reports of researchers and teachers from Lomonosov Moscow State University, Smolensk State University, Smolensk State Institute of Arts, as well as representatives of other specialized institutes, seminaries and teachers of general education schools of the Smolensk region.