1/ A church in south-western Russia has added an unusual element to its Sunday school: lessons in unarmed combat and bayonet practice for children of kindergarten age and upwards. The military-led classes are another manifestation of Russia's militarisation of its children. ⬇️
2/ The Siren News Telegram channel reports that the Church of the New Martyrs and Confessors in Saratov began hosting military lessons after Sunday worship on 11 June 2023. Children were taught to march in formation, stab with bayonets and fight in unarmed combat.
3/ The training was conducted by the local military-sports group "Victorious", apparently supervised by a military-affiliated individual (perhaps a reservist). The initiative is being promoted by the Saratov diocese and will continue every Sunday after the Divine Liturgy.
4/ Military training for children is becoming increasingly common in Russia (see thread below), and is considered to be part of a 'military-patriotic' curriculum intended to instil patriotic values and a willingness to fight for the Motherland. /end
@ChrisO_wiki
1/ A summer camp in the Siberian city of Ulan-Ude has been turned into a 'military-patriotic' training centre for children. They are being trained to use automatic rifles, apply tourniquets to the wounded and lay mines, in another sign of the militarisation of Russia's youth. ⬇️ https://t.co/XxUD82wO5A
Addendum: for those wondering what the Russian Orthodox Church's position on this is, it's recently ruled that pacifism is heretical:
@ChrisO_wiki
1/ Pacifism is a heresy, according to a new ruling by an ecclesiastical court of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). The ruling, said to have been directed personally by Patriarch Kirill, has been made against an anti-war priest who was convicted and fined for advocating peace. ⬇️ https://t.co/Ve5AWNEfYc
1/ A church in south-western Russia has added an unusual element to its Sunday school: lessons in unarmed combat and bayonet practice for children of kindergarten age and upwards. The military-led classes are another manifestation of Russia's militarisation of its children. ⬇️2/ The Siren News Telegram channel reports that the Church of the New Martyrs and Confessors in Saratov began hosting military lessons after Sunday worship on 11 June 2023. Children were taught to march in formation, stab with bayonets and fight in unarmed combat.3/ The training was conducted by the local military-sports group "Victorious", apparently supervised by a military-affiliated individual (perhaps a reservist). The initiative is being promoted by the Saratov diocese and will continue every Sunday after the Divine Liturgy.4/ Military training for children is becoming increasingly common in Russia (see thread below), and is considered to be part of a 'military-patriotic' curriculum intended to instil patriotic values and a willingness to fight for the Motherland. /endSources:
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🔹Addendum: for those wondering what the Russian Orthodox Church's position on this is, it's recently ruled that pacifism is heretical:
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1/ A church in south-western Russia has added an unusual element to its Sunday school: lessons in unarmed combat and bayonet practice for children of kindergarten age and upwards. The military-led classes are another manifestation of Russia's militarisation of its children. ⬇️ ... 2/ The Siren News Telegram channel reports that the Church of the New Martyrs and Confessors in Saratov began hosting military lessons after Sunday worship on 11 June 2023. Children were taught to march in formation, stab with bayonets and fight in unarmed combat. ... 3/ The training was conducted by the local military-sports group "Victorious", apparently supervised by a military-affiliated individual (perhaps a reservist). The initiative is being promoted by the Saratov diocese and will continue every Sunday after the Divine Liturgy. ... 4/ Military training for children is becoming increasingly common in Russia (see thread below), and is considered to be part of a 'military-patriotic' curriculum intended to instil patriotic values and a willingness to fight for the Motherland. /end ... Sources: ... Addendum: for those wondering what the Russian Orthodox Church's position on this is, it's recently ruled that pacifism is heretical:
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