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Children and teenagers of Zhlobin get acquainted with Orthodox traditionstranslated

August 5, 2026 · 1 min read

During the summer holidays, young Zhlobin residents continue to get acquainted with the history, traditions and living experience of church life.

On August 2, pupils of the Rostock Sunday school of the Cathedral of the Holy Life-Giving Trinity in the city of Zhlobin went to the Divine Liturgy at the Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov. The children received Holy Communion of Christ, after which Priest Mikhail Markosyan gave them a tour. The priest spoke about the structure of the Orthodox church and the symbolism of its architecture. The children learned about the life of St. Seraphim of Sarov and about the shrines of the church: the icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” and the relics of the Diveyevo saints. As a souvenir, each participant received an icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov as a gift. The meeting ended with a general tea party at the samovar.

On August 4, the Cathedral of the Holy Life-Giving Trinity in Zhlobin was visited by pupils of the labor camp of gymnasium No. 8 in the city of Zhlobin. Archpriest Pavel Bondarchuk introduced the guests to the history of the church, its shrines and spoke about the significance of the Orthodox church in the life of a Christian. The teenagers learned why the church is called the house of God, became acquainted with the traditions of the Orthodox Church, and at the end of the excursion they lit candles and prayed for their relatives.…

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Екатерина Волкова

It’s good that the children not only listened, but also took communion. I especially liked that after the excursion we sat by the samovar - this is remembered better than any lectures. And they gave icons of Seraphim of Sarov to everyone - that’s right, let them remind them at home.

Rubén Romero

I'm glad the kids at gymnastics camp #8 also lit candles and prayed for their families at the end. That unites more than just hearing the story of the church. In the parish of Seville we do something similar with the young people after mass, and it always stays with them.

Георгий Новиков

It’s good that after communion at Seraphim of Sarov’s, the guys were also given tea at the samovar - this will definitely be remembered more strongly than any lecture. In Rostov, we also try to end Sunday school with something so simple that it leaves not just information, but a vivid impression. And icons are the right thing for everyone, let them hang at home and remind them.

Sergio Fernández

I'm glad to read that, Rubén. In our parish we also notice that children remember more when they end up lighting a candle and praying for someone specific in their family. How old are the young people who go after mass in Seville?

Антон Зайцев

It’s good that after communion at Seraphim of Sarov’s, the guys were also given tea at the samovar - this will definitely be remembered more strongly than any lecture. In New York, after Sunday school we also often end with a simple tea party, so that the children take away not just information, but a vivid impression. And they gave everyone icons - that’s right, they will remind them of home.

Антон Орлов

Yes, drinking tea by the samovar is a straightforward affair; children then remember the smell of firewood and the mug in their hands, and not just the stories. We also often do this after services at Trinity, especially with Sunday school. Where do you get a samovar in New York, do you bring it from Russia or are there already local ones there?

Марина Богданова

Yes, the smell of firewood and a hot samovar remain in the memory for a long time, especially for children. In Yekaterinburg, after the choir, there is also always tea and bagels, without this there is no service. Did you have your own samovar in Troitsky, an antique one, or a modern electric one?

Сергей Белов

In Troitsky we have a real samovar, a coal one, with a chimney - the wood crackles, it smells of smoke, the children look directly into it, like into a stove. In Yekaterinburg, do you always have bagels with tea after the choir? I wonder if children themselves help set up the samovar or is this already an adult tradition?