At the Bolshoi Gatchina Palace in the Leningrad Region on February 12, 2026, as part of the IV (I Winter) The plenary session of the IV International Forum "Faith and Sport" was held at the International Sports Games of St. Alexander Nevsky.
The forum was attended by representatives of state authorities, local governments, religious, sports and public organizations, clergy, veterans of military education, coaches, athletes, students and students.
The plenary session of the forum opened with a video message from the Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Russian Olympic Committee Mikhail Degtyarev. The head of the sports department welcomed the participants of the forum, who gathered "to discuss a topic that is extremely relevant these days — the return of traditional spiritual and moral values to domestic sports, the positive impact of physical culture and sports, and the upbringing of a patriot and citizen."
Then the floor was given to the Governor of the Leningrad Region, Alexander Drozdenko, who stressed that holding the first Winter Games on the land where Prince Alexander Nevsky covered himself with unfading military glory was a great honor and a serious responsibility for the region, and expressed confidence that the winter competitions would become annual and would be held in different regions of Russia. so that young athletes can learn more about the history of their native land. 
Metropolitan Mitrofan of Murmansk and Monchegorsk, Chairman of the Patriarchal Commission on Physical Culture and Sports, thanked the Governor and Government of the Leningrad Region, Metropolitan Varsonofy of St. Petersburg and Ladoga for the high level of organization of the games and the forum, noting that "everything is done here with God's blessing, the patron saint of the Russian land, Grand Duke Alexander, is present here, and we feel it every day in every event." "This year has been declared the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia by decree of our President. And the idea of our games is unity. We have been looking for a long time for athletes of different religions to gather under whose banners, and of course, this is the one who was named after Russia in 2008, the holy Prince Alexander Nevsky, a great patriot, warrior, and prayer book for the Russian land," said the bishop.
Representatives of traditional religions and other speakers who were present developed the theme of spiritual, moral and patriotic education, and initiation into a healthy and active lifestyle.
On the forum's discussion platform, a conversation took place about the values that unite everyone — in life, in sports, and in ministry.
Those present observed a minute of silence in memory of those killed in the SVR zone.
The organizers presented a memorable gift to all participants of the games and the forum — a book about the life and exploits of St. Prince Alexander Nevsky, and a tour of the expositions of the Gatchina State Historical and Artistic Palace and Park Museum-Reserve was also organized.
Prior to the meeting, cooperation agreements were signed between the dioceses of the St. Petersburg Metropolitan Area - Gatchina, Tikhvin and Vyborg — and the Committee on Physical Culture and Sports of the Leningrad Region.
On the same day, the young athletes, along with their coaches and spiritual mentors, visited the Prayer Before Battle memorial in Nikolskoye, Tosnensky district, where they prayerfully honored the memory of the Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky and laid flowers.