The Philokalia Society in Moscow

As part of its Catholicity, wider mission and charitable giving, St. John’s supports and maintains certain links overseas.  One of these, which started with our parish-to-parish link with a Russian Orthodox church in central Moscow in 1990, is with the Philokalia Society.  Registered as an official charity since 1993, the Society and its members are committed to bringing practical help, Christian love and the Gospel to anyone in need.

We at St. John’s admire and trust its leaders.  Some of them have visited us and we them – joyful occasions, when we learned so much of value from each other as Anglo-Catholic and Russian Orthodox Christians.  Despite continuing harassment and uncertainties about their future (the Patriarchy clearly mistrusts and dislikes their links, indeed any links, with non-Orthodox Christians), they keep their vital and loving work going. Every day lonely or invalid elderly folk are visited, their flats cleaned, their shopping done; free medical consultations, treatment and medicines are provided.  Impoverished children living on the streets or in problem families are given breakfasts. (In Russia as a whole, well over 3 million children are not looked after by parents; in order to survive, many of them get into crime).  The Society holds regular prayer and Gospel study meetings. Its thriving Sunday School offers neglected, abandoned and vulnerable children a wide range of activities and much-needed food, warmth, shelter, support and Christian love.

The financial and other support that St. John’s provides for the Society is highly valued and remains essential to all of this vital work.  Philokalia’s  founder and Spiritual Director, Father Martirii Bagin, visited St. John’s this year: as part of our Year of Grace, he has celebrated an Orthodox Lesser Compline and preached.