The Church-run St. Alexius Hospital has been named a laureate of the international “We Are Together” award for the second time. The institution’s director and chief physician, Aleksei Zarov, won in the category “Nonprofit Leader”. He received the award from Health Minister Mikhail Murashko during a ceremony at the National Center “Russia,” according to Lenta.ru.

“This is recognition of the enormous contribution made by the Russian Orthodox Church in assisting those affected in the combat zone. Staff of St. Alexius Hospital and thousands of church volunteers—doctors and sisters of mercy from across the country—take part in this work,” Zarov said in his remarks.

Organizers highlighted the hospital’s role in developing palliative care in Russia’s regions and in training volunteers who support severely ill and wounded patients.

The award ceremony took place during the #WeAreTogether International Civic Participation Forum, which was attended by President Vladimir Putin. The president announced the winner of the “Volunteer of the Year” category and noted the rapid growth of volunteerism in the country.

According to Putin, the share of Russians engaged in volunteer activities has more than tripled—from 10% to 32% of the population. During the period of the special military operation, more than 630,000 people contributed to supporting service members and their families. He also acknowledged the voluntary initiatives undertaken by soldiers themselves.

The “Volunteer of the Year” award went to Anna Pluzhnikova, who took part in eliminating the consequences of an environmental disaster in Anapa. She emphasized that the achievement was possible thanks to the unity of all volunteers involved.

Winners in several additional categories were also announced on the first day of the awards:

• Mentor of the Year — Anatoly Zamyatin, EMERCOM employee from Altai Krai

• Good Deed of the Year (international) — Yellow School Boat project

• Heroes of Our Time — “Tsekh 52” project from Nizhny Novgorod

• Sustainable Future — “Clean City — Healthy Child” project of the Belgorod-based charity “Ordinary Cause”

• Code of Mercy — “Tylsym” inclusive center from Tatarstan

• Land of Opportunity — “Total Dictation — 2025” project

• Generation of Kindness — Semen Bordeniuk, a school student from Bashkortostan

• Nonprofit Leader — Aleksei Zarov, chief physician of St. Alexius Hospital

Natalia Virtuozova, director general of the National Center “Russia,” said the forum has become a major platform showcasing the country’s most impactful volunteer initiatives aimed at supporting people and strengthening social services.

The ceremony concluded with the announcement of preparations for the International Year of Volunteers in 2026, a designation endorsed by 54 UN member states, including Russia.