Gleb Nikitin met with participants of the youth Orthodox forum "My Joy".

      On August 1st, the day of reverence for Saint Seraphim of Sarov, a meeting took place in Diveevo, Nizhny Novgorod Region, between the governor of Nizhny Novgorod, Gleb Nikitin, and participants of the V Interregional Forum of Orthodox Youth "My Joy." Also present were the head of the youth department of the Nizhny Novgorod Eparchy, Father Andrey Bandin, and his deputy, Alexander Vikharev. Gleb Nikitin discussed with the young people the significance of faith in life and answered their questions. "The spiritual foundation, of course, is paramount. Building on it, we can talk about love for the homeland, self-sacrifice, and the willingness to give the last for a friend and neighbor. Therefore, events like the youth Orthodox forum 'My Joy' are also an opportunity to reflect together, discuss, and find answers to the most important questions: how to bring as many people as possible to God and how to shorten this path? The young people gathered here also bear a missionary responsibility — to become community leaders, to lead others, and to unite them based on high spiritual and moral principles. We will continue to strive for this dialogue on our land — ageless, but focused on youth, through the lens of faith and the life of Father Seraphim of Sarov, who always radiated goodness and love for people,"—noted the governor. The regional head paid special attention to the collaboration between the Nizhny Novgorod Metropolis and the government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region. He also mentioned that for the first time this year, the forum hosted a grant competition, #RostmolodozhGrant, with winners receiving from 80 thousand to 1.5 million rubles for their projects. At the end of the meeting, the governor was presented with a letter of appreciation from the organizers, an icon of Saint Seraphim of Sarov, and a forum participant kit. This year, the V interregional Orthodox youth forum "My Joy" in Diveevo united over 350 participants from 45 dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church, located across 40 regions of Russia. Among the participants are about 20 leaders of diocese youth departments, including from the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. The overall theme of the forum is "Youth in Society and the Cultural Space of the Russian World: Patriotism, Self-Realization, Volunteerism, Creativity, Morality, and Spirituality." The forum concludes its work on August 1st.