Gleb Nikitin discussed issues of faith and self-realization with the youth.

      The Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region discussed with participants of the event issues of faith, spiritual guidelines, and the implementation of youth projects. On August 1, 2026, the day of remembrance of St. Seraphim of Sarov, the Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Gleb Nikitin, met with participants of the VI Interregional Forum of Orthodox Youth "My Joy." The meeting took place at a tent camp near the Holy Trinity Seraphimo-Diveyevsky Convent. The event also featured the head of the youth department of the Nizhny Novgorod Diocese, Priest Andrey Bandin, and his deputy Alexander Vikharev. The regional leader communicated with young people about the role of faith in a person's life and noted the scale of the forum. According to Gleb Nikitin, this year the platform brought together participants from 44 regions of Russia and 56 dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church. The governor emphasized that the forum has become a significant platform for Orthodox youth and also noted the holding of the "Rosmolodezh. Grants" competition within its framework, which allows participants to receive support for the implementation of their own initiatives. "Here I feel the genuine interest of the guys, I see that they participate in the forum not because someone directs them here. There are indeed few such events, and I am glad that they are taking place on Nizhny Novgorod soil," said Gleb Nikitin. He wished the participants to maintain their desire for development and good deeds, noting the importance of sincerity and internal motivation in the implementation of youth projects. During the meeting, young people asked the governor questions, including how to cope with temptations, pride, and the desire for power. Gleb Nikitin noted that such feelings can arise in anyone, regardless of their position or profession. According to him, it is important to constantly analyze one's own actions and evaluate them through the prism of creation, good deeds, and internal dialogue. "I try to filter my actions through the prism of creation, good deeds, through constant dialogue with God and myself," the governor noted. The main theme of the VI forum was "Youth in Society and the Cultural Space of the Russian World: Patriotism, Self-Realization, Volunteerism, Creativity, Morality, and Spirituality." The event is aimed at developing spiritual values, supporting youth initiatives, and creating conditions for their implementation. Within the framework of the forum, participants discuss issues of Russian culture, spiritual life, preservation of historical and cultural heritage, volunteerism, missionary activities, strengthening family values, as well as creating creative and media projects. The Minister of Youth Policy of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Svetlana Anufrieva, emphasized that the forum is not only a platform for presenting projects but also an opportunity for young people to contribute to the development of society. "We help young people not only find themselves in creativity and volunteerism but also provide resources for affirming moral guidelines in society," she noted. In 2026, more than 400 participants from 56 dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church located in 44 regions of the country attended the forum. Representatives from six federal districts - Central, Volga, Northwest, Ural, Siberian, and Southern - participated in the event, giving it the status of a nationwide public church youth event. The forum brought together representatives of both church and secular youth. Among the participants were heads of youth departments of the dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church. For the participants, sports and cultural events, excursions, and meetings with state figures of Russia, archbishops, missionaries of the Russian Orthodox Church, clergy of the Nizhny Novgorod Diocese, and other experts were prepared. One of the areas of work of the forum was public defenses of projects within the framework of the All-Russian competition of youth projects among individuals "Rosmolodezh. Grants." The forum "My Joy" became the platform for the competition for the second time. A total of 95 applications were submitted for the competition from participants from the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Volgograd and Ulyanovsk regions, as well as St. Petersburg. The evaluation of the projects was carried out by experts from "Rosmolodezh. Grants" from St. Petersburg, Saratov, and Nizhny Novgorod regions. As a result of the competition, 16 participants will receive support totaling 4.7 million rubles. Within the framework of the forum, Gleb Nikitin met with the Nizhny Novgorod winners of the competition and discussed their initiatives. The VI Forum of Orthodox Youth "My Joy" is held with the support of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs ("Rosmolodezh") and the Synodal Department for Youth Affairs of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is worth noting that in 2025, representatives of youth organizations from 40 regions of Russia and 46 dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church participated in the forum. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+.