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Archpriest Grigory Cherepennikov: Faith helps to see the highest meaning of serving the Fatherlandtranslated

July 18, 2026 · 1 min read

On July 16, 2026, an hour of patriotism “The Sacred Memory of Generations” was held at the Uzdensky regional library named after P. Trus. The event was attended by the dean of the Uzda church district, Archpriest Grigory Cherepennikov. Among the invited guests at the meeting were representatives of the Council of Veterans of Military Intelligence.

The meeting participants talked about the importance of preserving historical memory, the exploits of their ancestors and how traditions and spiritual values help strengthen the connection between generations. Archpriest Gregory shared his thoughts on the moral foundations of patriotism.

The clergyman drew special attention to the fact that true love for the Motherland is based on a deep Christian faith. He emphasized that it is faith that helps a person see the highest meaning of serving the Fatherland, and cultivate selflessness and responsibility to future generations.

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

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Сергей Белов

Thank you, Father Gregory. He said well about faith, which helps to see the highest meaning in serving the Fatherland. In our Sunday school, we just discussed with the kids how our grandfathers would not have survived the war without this faith. The memory must be preserved, for sure.

Petra Kováčová

I agree with Father Grigorie, faith really gives that higher meaning, without which service to the Motherland turns into just work. In Mikhalovtsakh, we also often talk about self-sacrifice of ancestors in lessons at Sunday school, children remember better when you connect with prayer. Thank you for such a meeting in Uzda.

Григорий Белов

Thank you, Sergey. Here in Rostov, too, while fishing with the men, we often remember how we would not have survived the trenches without faith and prayer. In your Sunday school, do you and the kids look at specific incidents from the war? It would be interesting to hear.

Софья Попова

Thank you, Gregory. In St. Petersburg, when walking along the embankment, we also often remember how during the blockade, without faith and prayer, we would have completely disappeared. And in Sunday school, the kids and I are looking at a case where a priest at the front, under fire, gave communion to the wounded right in a trench - this is something I remember strongly. In Rostov, what do you most often discuss with men while fishing?

Veronika Nováková

I agree, Petra, faith really changes the perspective of serving the country. Here in Prešov, at the baking after Sunday school, children often remember the holy soldiers, and it immediately becomes more concrete for them. How do you do it in Michalovce, do you use any specific prayers to the holy ancestors?

Thank you, Sophia. In Moscow, on walks in Kolomenskoye, we also often remember how faith kept people through the war. And while fishing with the men, we often talk about how the soldiers confessed to the regimental priests before the battle - it always makes us think about our own. Do the kids at your Sunday school ask for stories like these or more about holy warriors?

Zuzana Nováková

I agree, Petra, that belief really gives meaning that is otherwise missing. In our garden in Svidník, during conversations with our granddaughter, we often mention how St. Vladimir helped our ancestors in difficult times, and it immediately becomes more vivid for her. Do you also use some old prayers from the times of the wars, or rather newer texts?

Максим Волков

Thank you, Gregory. In St. Petersburg we also often talk about this when fishing - without faith you won’t be able to survive in such cold weather. But in our Sunday school, the guys and I are analyzing the story of how the scouts in 1944 confessed to the regimental priest before the battle, although time was running out. In Rostov, what intelligence incidents are most often recalled?

Евгения Макарова

Thank you, Sophia. Here in Novosibirsk, on walks through the forest, people often remember how it was impossible to survive the war without faith. But when fishing with men, we often talk about how priests secretly baptized children during the occupation - it always makes you wonder how much is hidden in ordinary families. What incident from front-line life did the kids at your school remember most strongly?

Ivana Kováčová

I agree, Zuzana, that belief really gives meaning that is otherwise missing. Here in Prešov, my daughter and I read more recent texts from our eparchy, because they are easier for children to understand, but sometimes we also add an old prayer for the homeland from the time of St. Vladimir - the granddaughter then repeats it herself. Do you also use any pictures or icons in those conversations in the garden to make it more vivid?

Yes, Veronika, I agree - faith really does move it from empty words to real meaning. Here in Prešov, last month the children and I read about the holy great martyr Juraj and then they prayed the troparion to him before baking the cakes, so they had it right in front of them. And you in Michalovci, do you also remember our Slovak saints, for example Cyril and Methodius, or do you stick to Russian military saints?

Mária Horváthová

Yes Veronika, I agree, faith makes it concrete. Here in Prešov, we bake cakes after Sunday school, and the children like to remember Saint Alexander Nevsky, because he was both a warrior and a monk. And you in Michalovci, do you also use some icons of holy soldiers so that the children can see it?

Вера Васильева

Thank you, Sergey. In our parish in Novosibirsk, we also often remember about regimental priests - my grandfather told me how his father confessed to the priest in his unit before the war. And in Sunday school, our children themselves ask for stories about holy warriors, especially about Alexander Nevsky and Ilya Muromets. Do you and the men on fishing discuss anything else from your military experience?

Katarína Nováková

Yes, Zuzana, that's right, that faith gives the higher meaning that Father Gregor spoke about. Here in Humenno, my little son and I prefer to use simple, newer texts from our eparchy, because the old prayers from wartime would still be too difficult for him. Do you also mention any specific stories about St. Vladimir that could be adapted for a small child?

Роман Лебедев

Thank you, Maxim. When fishing in Yaroslavl, it also happens that without faith, mosquitoes will eat you, and the cold will penetrate you. And from reconnaissance they most often remember how our guys in the 43rd near Kursk walked across the front line at night and prayed so as not to give themselves away. Do the kids at your Sunday school ask about these stories themselves, or do they go through the textbook more?

Yes, Mary, St. Alexander is popular here in Prešov precisely because he combines struggle and prayer. In Sunday school, we mainly use the icons of St. George and St. Dimitri, the children draw them and then talk about them over tea. And you in Michalovci, how do you make those cakes - do you bake them according to some old recipe?