International Orthodox Christian News

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia is an honorary president of the Festival Board of Trustees. The Chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate, metropolitan Clement of Kaluga and Borovsk acts as chairman of the said Board, while the head of the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, archpriest Vladimir Siloviev chairs the Organizing Committee.

'Tserkovny Vestnik' ('Church Herald') reports that taking part in the forum are over three hundred delegates from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Latvia and Azerbaijan, as well as representatives of the Polish Orthodox Church, Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia and the Orthodox Church in America.

On November 24, the participants introduced themselves, and a press conference took place at the Publishing Council premises. Planned for the next three days are lectures, master classes of the renowned journalists and mass media leaders, rounds tables with church and secular experts, and presentations of regional projects.

On November 25, the feast day of the Icon of the Mother of God called 'Merciful', a prayer service was celebrated before the opening of the festival. Metropolitan Clement of Kaluga and Borovsk, deputy chairman of the Russian Council Federation D. Mezentsev, general director of 'Expert' media holding and 'MediaUnion' president V. Fadeyev, anchorman of the 'Sunday Time' P. Tolstoy, and other well-known people addressed the participants in the forum.

On November 27, a ceremony of awarding for merits in witnessing about Gospel values in mass media took place in the New Jerusalem Monastery of the Resurrection.

'The 'Faith and Word' festival tales place every two years. It is organized by the Chancellery of the Moscow Patriarchate and the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church with support of the Institute of Social Projects, MediaUnion, 'Church Herald' editorial board, and the 'Foma' Publishing House.

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