The Synodal Missionary Department of the Russian Orthodox Church has launched a pilot educational course for blogger priests and missionaries. The department intends to make the courses a regular thing, its chairman, His Grace Bishop Euthymy of Lukhovitsy, told vedomosti.ru. The first course was held January 29–February 8, with 10 priests participating.

According to the bishop, the training is aimed at, among other things, ensuring that priests don’t lose sight of the main goal of their activity in the blogosphere—to preach Christ. In general, the views expressed by the priests should not contradict any official Russian Church positions, “especially if these are issues that spark significant public interest,” Bp. Euthymy said. Therefore, priests who are active online should coordinate their statements with the position of their bishop, the course teaches.

The bishop also noted that in case of coverage of controversial issues on which there are disagreements in the Church, missionary bloggers should provide their viewers or readers with arguments from each side, like journalists. The blogger priests are also taught technical details, including how to improve lighting, sound quality, etc. (Quelle: www.orthochristian.com, 13. März 2024)