The History and Revival of Sunday Schools in Russia

This article considers the high significance of the Russian Orthodox Church's system of religious education, which is currently being built in the Russian Federation. The great value of this system is due to the fact that Orthodoxy has historically been the most massive and important religion in Russia. Sunday schools are examined as a form of religious Orthodox educating and upbringing. The article defines the specifics of the emergence and historical development of Sunday schools in Russia on the whole and in the Far East in particular. It also discusses the role that modern Sunday schools play for children and adults in Orthodox moral education and spiritual guidance, in preserving Orthodox traditions, and in forming ethical values. The study examines the historical building and modern development of Vladivostok Eparchy. One of the Sunday schools belonging to Vladivostok Eparchy of the Russian Orthodox Church is taken as an example to describe how religious education and raising in Orthodox traditions are organized for children today.