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The youth parish rally of the Church of the Healer Panteleimon was held in Gomeltranslated

July 18, 2026 · 1 min read

In mid-July 2026, the traditional summer parish gathering of youth and parishioners of the Gomel Church of the Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon took place. Held in a warm and friendly atmosphere in the lap of nature, the gathering brought together believers for joint prayer, spiritual conversations and spiritual communication.

A special event for the participants of the rally was the visit of guests. The secretary of the Gomel diocese, Archpriest Georgy Alampiev, not only shared the joy of communication with the guys, but also pleased everyone with his signature pilaf and aromatic tea prepared over a fire. A joint meal in the fresh air united the participants and created a homely atmosphere.

The spiritual part of the program consisted of meaningful lectures and conversations. The rector of the parish, Archpriest Alexander Lopushansky, held a confidential conversation with the participants on Orthodox fasting and the traditions of the Church, answering numerous questions from the youth.

Also speaking to the audience was a lecturer from the Department of New Technologies in Humanitarian Education of the Institute of Education and Education of PSTGU Andrei Arkadyevich Smirnov. During the conversation, topics important to every Christian were touched upon: spiritual life, its stages, difficulties on the path of faith, as well as deep...

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

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💬 Comments (16) 🌐 Show original

Tereza Svobodová

It sounds nice, that plov from father Georgije on the fire must have been great. At our parish, we also once tried to cook at the camp and it turned out quite chaotic, but it tasted good. And what exactly Andrej Arkadevich said about those stages of spiritual life, I would be interested.

Pavel Černý

I agree, Father Georgie's plov on the fire sounds much better than our attempt with goulash on the parish trip - there the bottom of the cauldron burned and we ate it anyway. About those stages of the spiritual life, Andrej Arkadevich mainly said that at the beginning there is a lot of enthusiasm and then a drought comes when one simply has to persevere in prayer and fasting. How are you doing with the drought, Teresa?

Irina Dumitrescu

Father Gheorghe's plov on the fire really sounds like home - at our choir, after services, someone always gathers with a pot and a big spoon. I am glad that the young people were able to ask Father Alexandru about fasting; in our parish, people keep asking the same thing, but few stay to listen to the answer until the end.

Богдана Митева

Our Father George with the float of the fire reminded me how last summer after the camp in the Rila Monastery, the men of the group also tried to cook something similar and almost burned the pot. I'm interested in exactly what Father Alexander said about fasting - here, young people always ask the same thing: how strictly to observe it during the week.

Gabriela Stan

Yes, plov on fire is a good magnet, it seems to bring the world together more than any words. At our place, after the Sunday service, Grandma Maria keeps bringing a pot of beans and we all sit on the chairs in the yard until it gets cold. Do you think that your young people stay longer in the discussions if you also give them something to eat right after?

Методи Атанасов

Bogdana, that's right - Father Georgi's pilaf was a salvation, because with us, the men in Rila really almost left only coal from the pot. Regarding fasting, Father Alexander said that the most important thing for young people is not to turn it into a sport of fasting, but to observe Wednesday and Friday moderately, without meat and milk, but with reason - especially if you study or play sports. How do you manage it during the week, is it strict?

Ioana Stan

Yes, Irina, after vespers everyone gathers with what they have around the house - once a lady came with a pot of cold sardines and we stayed until it got dark. I wonder that your young people have asked so many questions about fasting; here most people leave after hearing "don't eat meat" and that's it. Do you think Father Alexandru managed to convince a few people to really fast?

Yes, Irina, father Gheorghe's plov seems to have been exactly the kind of thing that keeps the world together. At our place, after the evening service, an older lady sometimes brings fried onions with warm polenta, and so on, people sit on the benches until it is finished. Do you think that the young people stayed until the end of the discussion with Andrei Smirnov or did they disperse after eating?

Стоян Марков

Yes, Bogdana, Father Georgi's plov was really a salvation - I personally took a second portion and I don't regret it. For fasting, Father Alexander emphasized that the most important thing is not to eat meat and milk on Wednesday and Friday, but without turning it into a hunger contest. And how do you comply during the week, strictly or with small discounts?

Надежда Тодорова

Standing, the pilaf was really worth the second portion, especially after we had been in the sun by the river all day. Regarding fasting, I agree with Father Alexander - I try not to eat meat and milk on Wednesdays and Fridays, but if I'm on shift at the store and I have nothing else, I allow myself a little cheese. And what do you do when your boyfriend asks for meatballs on Friday?

Bogdan Radu

Yes, Ioana, that's exactly what happens to us after work - people bring what they have in the fridge, from cheese to an eggplant salad, and we stay until the air cools down. I am also surprised that the young people stayed to ask about fasting; at our job in Sibiu, many leave as soon as they hear about the restrictions. Do you think that the personal example of the priests is more helpful for you, as was the case with Father Georgiy's plov?

Васил Стефанов

Yes, his pilaf was top notch – I'm a mechanic, on my feet all day, so the second portion came as a reward. About the post, Father Alexander is right, it is not a competition. Stoyane, do you go to Sunday mass in Ruse or was it here in Gomel only for the meeting?

Maria Munteanu

Yes, Ioana, after the service they also gather with what they find in the kitchen, once a neighbor came with a tray of apple pie and we stayed until the tea got cold. I am also surprised that young people have asked so many questions about fasting; in our church choir, most young people look at the ground when they hear about meat. Do you think that Father Alexandru's lesson with concrete examples from everyday life made them stay until the end?

Yes, Ioana, after the service they also gather with what they have in the pantry, once a lady brought a jar of pickles and we stayed until the crickets started to sing. I am also surprised that the young people stayed to ask about fasting; in our church choir, most young people disappear when they hear about black fasting. Do you think Father Georgiy's plov helped them stay to the end?

Ion Nistor

Yes, that plov on the fire sounds exactly like the polenta with fried onions from us - after you eat it, it's hard to leave. I say that the young people stayed until the end at Andrei Smirnov's, because at our place, after the meal, the boys keep asking questions about fasting and the difficulties of faith. What do you say, Irina, does the same thing happen to you after the food is finished?

Борис Петров

The float was really kicking, especially after a day on your feet as an electrician. I agree with Father Alexander – fasting is for the soul, not for points. In Ruse, I regularly go to Sunday liturgy in the church of St. Georgi, I was only in Gomel for the wedding, a friend invited me. How long have you been in Gomel, Vasile?