On October 3, 2026, the first meeting "Social Volunteerism of the Bashkortostan Metropolis" was held at the Ufa Expo Center. It was organized by the Ufa Diocese with the assistance of the Council on State-Confessional Relations under the head of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The participants discussed the development of parish volunteer services and assistance to people affected by the fighting.
Natalia Letavina, Head of the Development Department of the Patriarchal Humanitarian Mission, spoke about the work of assistance centers for civilians, volunteer repair teams and volunteers in hospitals and hospitals.
Olga Varganova, Curator of social activities in the Volga Federal District of the Synodal Department for Charity, presented recommendations on the creation of parish volunteer services. She stressed that when assigning tasks, it is important to take into account the participants' abilities, meet with them regularly and support their initiative.
Representatives of the dioceses of the Bashkortostan Archdiocese shared their experience of social service, assistance to combat veterans and their families. A separate topic was the cooperation of Orthodox and Muslim volunteers on humanitarian trips.
At the meeting, a commendation was presented to Archpriest Romil Gareev, who accompanied the volunteer groups of the Ufa diocese to Donbass. Ufa resident Timur Zimin, who has been involved in providing assistance for two years and is now coordinating the work of construction volunteers, was also awarded.
Groups of the Ufa Diocese have already participated in trips of the Patriarchal Humanitarian Mission in December 2025 and March 2026. The next trip is scheduled for November 8-21.