The Philokalia Society, formed from Father Martirii’s congregation in Moscow (with which St. John’s began a link in 1990), became a registered charity in 1993.  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 have visited us and we them. The Society works in constantly difficult circumstances.  But its vital and loving work goes on: each 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.  (Well over 3 million children in Russia are not looked after by their 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 help that the Society gets from St. John’s is highly valued and remains essential to all of this vital work.

These extracts from reports received from the Society give the flavour:

“Our Sunday School now numbers many children from the locality.  Most of them have been unwanted and un-cared for throughout their young lives.   Many are from poverty-stricken homes with alcoholic, drug-dependent or unemployed parents.  Many have never known a birthday party before coming to our Sunday school… Quite a few live virtually on the streets.  When they first come to us, they are thin and intimidated. Some are wary and sullen.  Mostly they are dirty, hungry and poorly clothed.  Such food as many of them get they have to find in rubbish bins or tips.  We do our best to show them that they are loved by God, finding clothing and shoes for them and managing to feed them at least twice a week. We try also to give them food to take away with them … Many have health problems, so we arrange medical care.  We buy them a few toys and show them films.  They learn to draw, paint and sing.  We act out Bible stories with them.  Adults make the costumes, the children paint the scenery.  We ensure that each child always has some part to play.  We try to give each one a sense of family and of Christian love and support within the Sunday school.
       We have thanked God for so much over many years from St. John’s including vitamin tablets to help the children through our harsh winters. Your continued support is as vital as ever.  Without it, most of what we do would not be possible“.