Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen Participates in the Conference “Christian Ethics and Social Justice”

March 18, 2025. Under the chairmanship of Metropolitan Clement of Kaluga and Borovsk, the conference “Christian Ethics and Social Justice” was held in a hybrid format at the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The event was organized as part of the work of the Inter-Council Presence Commission on Social Life, Culture, Science, and Information. Co-chairing the conference was Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, Administrator of the Affairs of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District.

Participants in the forum included: Bishop Theoktist of Pereslavl and Uglich; Secretary of the Synodal Commission on Bioethics, Archpriest Alexander Abramov; Chairman of the Information Commission of the Diocesan Council of Moscow, Priest Alexander Volkov; Head of the Department of Orthodox Doctrine at St. John the Theologian Russian Orthodox University, Priest Stefan Domuschi; Adviser to the Committee of the Federation Council on Constitutional Legislation and State Building, E. E. Zhukovskaya; Director of the Library of Christian Literature in Moscow, S. L. Khudiev; Senior Researcher of the Department of Cultural Studies at the Russian Research Institute of Cultural and Natural Heritage named after D. S. Likhachev, S. G. Volobuev; Staff Member of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Priest Andrey Titushkin; Professor at Kazan Innovative University named after V. G. Timiryasov, O. D. Agapov; and Senior Researcher of the Russian Research Institute of Cultural and Natural Heritage named after D. S. Likhachev, A. B. Rudakov.

Before the event began, Metropolitan Clement expressed condolences on the passing of Schema-Archimandrite Elijah, noting that a large number of people had traveled to Optina Pustyn Monastery to bid farewell to the late elder.

Following this, the Chairman of the Publishing Council opened the conference, emphasizing that Christians are called not only to personal morality but also to active participation in society. Metropolitan Clement highlighted that when considering social justice, one must begin with the individual, remembering that God has created each person with unique gifts, and a just society is one in which individuals can fully realize their talents.

In his address, Bishop Gennady focused on the distinction between secular and biblical interpretations of justice and truth, stating that while in secular discourse these are considered social virtues, in the Bible, justice and truth are manifestations of Divine Providence.

O. D. Agapov presented a report on “Christian Ethos as the Foundation for Civic Service and Social Justice Practices.” Priest Stefan Domuschi examined the concept of justice in biblical terminology in relation to righteousness, commandments, and judgment.

E. E. Zhukovskaya noted a current trend: a segment of today’s youth is showing interest in late Soviet Marxism, and it is necessary to respond to this phenomenon from a Christian perspective.

Priest Alexander Volkov emphasized that society is interested in the Church’s interpretation of justice.

Archpriest Alexander Abramov shared his experience working on the creation of the document “On Christian Ethics and Economics.”

A. B. Rudakov outlined a range of pressing social issues related to the unfair distribution of resources.

The reports were followed by questions and discussions.

Concluding the event, Metropolitan Clement thanked all participants for their contributions and exchange of views.