Russian Russian Sign Language Translation (Ecclesiastical translator of Russian Sign language) Advanced training program was organized by the Vladimir Diocese with the support of the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Service. The training took place with the blessing of Metropolitan Nikander of Vladimir and Suzdal. The new course is the third level, a special in—depth course with an analysis of difficult passages in the translation of divine services for students who have previously completed the first and second levels of training and successfully passed the final exams.
The courses were attended by 24 people — eight clergy from the Vladimir, Murom, Alexandrov, Belgorod and Gomel dioceses and 16 volunteers from Vladimir, Murom, Suzdal, Vyatka, Tula, Gus-Khrustalny, Tambov and Rostov-on-Don, as well as a teacher at the Kovrov specialized (correctional) boarding school for the deaf and hard of hearing. and children who died late.
The training was conducted by Priest Igor Shilyaev, the confessor of the Vyatka Orthodox Community of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the name of St. Queen Elena.
The classes were practice-oriented. The students not only improved their translation skills, but also applied them directly in liturgical practice.
An important stage of the training was the Liturgy with translation into Russian sign language during the Week of the Myrrh-bearing Women in the Refectory Church of the Nativity of the Virgin of the Nativity Monastery in Vladimir, which was held as part of the interim certification. The liturgy was led by the course teacher, Priest Igor Shilyaev, and the course participants were involved in translating the service: the clergy said prayers, litanies, and exclamations simultaneously with their voices and gestures, the laity translated the choir's chants and sermon, and accompanied the procession.
After the Liturgy, a practical lesson was held, where participants demonstrated their communication skills with the deaf parishioners of the Vladimir and Kovrov Orthodox communities, as well as the parishioners of the Simonov Monastery Community of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Moscow, who came to worship.
All students have received advanced training documents. At the end of the exams, a thanksgiving prayer service was held and the graduation ceremony took place.
Graduates will continue to serve in the field of helping deaf and hard of hearing people: conducting divine services with translation into Russian sign language, developing parish communities and supporting families raising children with hearing impairments.