A new academic year has begun at Belgorod Seminarytranslated

With the blessing of Metropolitan John of Belgorod and Stary Oskol, on August 31, at the Belgorod Orthodox Theological Seminary (with a missionary orientation), Metropolitan John of Belgorod and Stary Oskol performed a prayer service in the home church of St. Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow. Freshmen, senior students and teachers gathered in the church to ask for blessings for their upcoming work. Addressing those gathered, the Bishop congratulated everyone on the start of the school year and reminded that it begins in difficult conditions: “We are starting the school year to the sound of sirens about the missile danger; that drones are flying above us. But life exists when we cast out fear from our hearts and come to the Lord with love, prayer, and thanksgiving, and the Lord helps us, admonishes us, and preserves our lives.” Speaking about the mission of the seminary, Metropolitan John recalled that it prepares clergy called to “build a bridge between God and man.”

He quoted the prayer of St. Ambrose of Milan, which contains the petition: “If you, Lord, have chosen me, unworthy, to carry out the mission of reconciliation”—namely, the reconciliation of man with God, man with man—“then give me...