MThA Continues Teacher Training for Varnitsy Orthodox School

From September 23, 2026, the Moscow Theological Academy’s Continuing Education Department will continue its professional development program “Orthodox Foundations of Traditional Russian Spiritual and Moral Values.”

The autumn semester has begun for teachers at the St. Sergius of Radonezh School at the Holy Trinity–St. Sergius Varnitsky Monastery. The program covers Orthodox doctrine, the Old and New Testaments, Christianity and culture, apologetics, liturgics, Church history, and other subjects. The Varnitsy school is rightly known as a training ground for future theological students: many of its graduates enter theological schools, including the Moscow Theological Academy.

“Educating the younger generation is one of the most important tasks facing Russian society today. We are very pleased that the school administration and teachers devote so much attention to their professional development, especially in spiritual and moral culture. We believe their attitude to their work and understanding of their teaching responsibilities will bear fruit in the education and upbringing of the young men who have come to study there. The first semester ended successfully, and four months of classes remain before final assessment at year’s end,” said Priest Alexiy Kotelnikov, head of the Academy’s Continuing Education Department.

The school is located on the grounds of the Holy Trinity–St. Sergius Varnitsky Monastery in the Varnitsy district of Rostov the Great. It teaches children from grades one through eleven; upper-grade instruction is organized as boarding school education. Students come from different Russian regions and live in the school dormitory during their studies, leaving for holidays. 

In addition to classes and other developmental activities, the pupils serve in church and take part in worship.

“We seek to immerse ourselves deeply in Orthodox tradition and be able to explain it to those who ask, especially young people. Recognizing our responsibility for children’s spiritual development, our teachers wished to study with the Academy’s Continuing Education Department. Participants appreciate the convenient online format, which lets them combine work with lectures. At the same time, all teachers value in-person classes because they can bring their questions to their mentors. We sincerely thank all the department’s teachers and look forward to continued fruitful cooperation,” said L. A. Zamashkina, deputy director for research and teaching methods.

For questions about training organized groups, contact Galina Mikhailovna Noriyevskaya, the department’s academic coordinator, at +7 993 278-49-54 or odo.long@mpda.ru.

MThA Press Office