Representatives of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy (SPbDA), who visited the All-Russian discussion platform "Student Family: Values and Meanings" in Ryazan from November 28 to 29, 2025, thanked the Foundation for the Support of Christian Culture and Heritage for financial assistance in organizing the trip.
The forum was held on the basis of Ryazan State University named after S.A. Yesenin and Pronsky Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery. The event brought together more than 300 young families from 20 countries for a dialogue about traditional family values.
"The Academy expresses its heartfelt gratitude to the Foundation for the Support of Christian Culture and Heritage for the financial support that made it possible for our students to participate in this important forum. Such assistance is a significant contribution to the education of future pastors and missionaries who are able to bring the gospel truths to the world," the SPbDA said in a statement.
The forum was attended by Herman Nordell, a 4th-year bachelor's student from Sweden, and his wife Leiser Liv (Sweden), who is also a student of the Additional General Education Program of the Preparatory Department for incoming foreign citizens of the Academy.
In the second section, Herman Nordell made a presentation in which he highlighted the Christian view of the family and the current problems faced by the institution of the family in Sweden in the 21st century. His speech became one of the key ones in the program, emphasizing the universality and spiritual depth of the topic under discussion.
The forum program included the work of thematic sections, master classes from experts in the field of psychology and sociology of the family, as well as cultural events. The discussions gained a special resonance on the second day, which took place within the walls of the ancient Pronsky Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery. The participants presented developed proposals to promote traditional family values among students, and also discussed thematic films.
The students of the Theological Academy were accompanied throughout the trip by the methodologist of the International Department, Priest John Ivanov.
Such educational and discussion trips are of great importance for students. They allow us not only to present our own spiritual and academic experience on national platforms, but also to enrich ourselves with knowledge, establish important connections with young people from different regions and countries, strengthening the Christian understanding of the family as a small Church in public dialogue.