At the beginning of the new academic year, an event full of special spiritual joy took place in the Church of St. Nicholas in Povenets. At the call of the heart, the Sacrament of Baptism was organized here for 13 children from the Povenetsky correctional Boarding School. These are children with different, sometimes very difficult diagnoses, who especially need care, warmth and prayerful support.
The sacrament of Baptism became for them the first step into the life of the Church — into a large family where everyone is accepted with love, where there are no "strangers" and "inconveniences", where there is enough room for everyone.
Two boarding school teachers, Natalia Zelinskaya and Yulia Fedorova, became godparents for the children. They have taken upon themselves the hard and holy work of being receptionists, prayer books, and mentors for those who particularly need support.
Every person who comes to Church is a living soul for whom Christ gave His life. When children with special needs are baptized, it becomes a special evidence that God's love knows no boundaries and does not look at diagnoses.
It is especially important that this happens at the beginning of the school year. For these 13 children, their first step in the new year was a step towards God.
There are teachers among the parishioners of the church. They try to fulfill the gospel commandments in their work and in communication with children. Caring, love, sacrifice — these words should be the foundation of a person's life who calls himself a Christian. The Lord said, "Whoever works for these little ones will work for Me."
After the Sacrament of Baptism, a sweet table was set for the children in the refectory of the church. With tea and cake, the children shared the holiday with the rector of the church, Archpriest Roman Sobolev, godparents and parents. It was a warm and homely conversation where everyone felt like part of a big family.