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A clergyman of the Novokuznetsk diocese held conversations with juvenile convictstranslated

July 7, 2026 · 1 min read

On July 6, 2026, the full-time cleric of the Transfiguration Cathedral, Priest John Merkulov, visited the branch in the Central District of Novokuznetsk PKU UII and the branch in the Zavodsky District.

The educational event was organized by Daria Ivashova, senior psychologist of the OPO Penitentiary Institution, for juvenile convicts registered with the Penitentiary Penitentiary. The conversations took place as part of the implementation of the Plan for the Decade of Childhood, as well as within the framework of the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan for Countering the Ideology of Terrorism in the Russian Federation.

Father John talked with the guys about the social danger of terrorism, its criminal and anti-human essence. Citing passages from the Bible and classical literature, the priest spoke about the manifestations of extremist ideas in various historical eras, showing their danger not only for society, but also for the spiritual life of the individual. The result of the meeting and the main conclusion of the event was the phrase of Father John: “Everyone can stumble, but it is important that there is repentance, repentance, then not everything is lost for a person.”

The post A cleric of the Novokuznetsk diocese held conversations with convicted minors first appeared on Novokuznetsk diocese.

Source: Site: Новокузнецкая епархия · Read the full story →

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Jana Nováková

It's good that Father Ioann spoke directly about repentance and not just about some laws. That line at the end—that anyone can stumble, but what matters is regret and repentance—is, I think, the most important thing he could have said to those boys.

حنا معلوف

Yes, the part that Father Ewan said at the end is very important: “Everyone can stumble, but what is important is regret and repentance.” This gives hope to young people, especially since they are still young. Thanks to Daria Ivashova for organizing the visit.

Dominika Horváthová

I agree, Jana, that sentence about repentance was really important. When Father Ioann mentioned that anyone can stumble, but can come back with regret, that must have been more than dry laws for the boys. I wonder if such meetings would help here in Prešov as well.