The missionary department of the Samara diocese expresses concern about the Protoka festivaltranslated

The missionary department of the Samara diocese makes an appeal in connection with the planned holding of the “Protoka” festival on August 14–16, 2026 in the Samara region. In 2024, the festival organizers did not agree on the usual venue in the Samara region, after which the event was moved to the Ulyanovsk region. In 2025, the festival in the Ulyanovsk region was also cancelled. Currently, the organizers have reiterated their intention to hold the “Protoka” on Samara soil. The festival positions itself as a secular family event dedicated to a healthy lifestyle, creativity and self-discovery. However, the content of its platforms and the composition of participants have repeatedly caused serious concern among representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church and specialists involved in the study of destructive religious and occult movements. The famous researcher of destructive cults, Alexander Leonidovich Dvorkin, called Protoka an “occult supermarket.” According to him, under one sign the festival presents a variety of esoteric, neo-Hindu, neo-pagan and pseudo-religious teachings, meditative and occult practices, activities of all kinds...