The Governor approved the organizing committee on preparing for and holding the regional stage of the XXV International Christmas Educational Readings

The Governor Alexey Ostrovskiy signed a decree of the Administration of Smolensk region on setting up the organizing committee on preparing for and holding the regional stage of the XXV International Christmas Educational Readings and on approving its members.

The main goal of this unique church-and-public forum is to create and develop the system of cooperation of the state, society and church in the sphere of education, culture, social service and spiritual and moral education.

This event is of particular significance as it is held at the initiative and with blessing of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill.

The XXV International Christmas Readings dedicated to the topic "1917-2017: Lessons of the Century" will be held in Moscow on January 25-27, 2017. Just like it was last year, the All-Russian Forum will be preceded by the regional stages. It is planned that in Smolensk region the regional stage of the XXV International Christmas Educational Readings will be held in November.

The regional organizing committee, chaired by the Governor Alexey Ostrovskiy and co-chaired by the Metropolitan of Smolensk and Roslavl Isidor, consists of the department heads of the Smolensk and Vyazma dioceses, executive authorities and municipalities, regional offices of public organizations, rectors of educational institutions, representatives of the Cossacks, the regional Interior Ministry, the Federal Penitentiary Service.