COMMENTARY: Patriarch Kirill Must Be Commended for Reaching Out to Russian Youth

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All of Russia must be commended for launching an "army" of missionary specialists, as a means of reconnecting young people in Russia to religion.

The primary goal of this "army" -- which began last May and includes 100 young members -- is to distance young people from drugs, alcoholism, and sexual promiscuity. At the same time, it will organize events to communicate to society the Russian Orthodox Church's position on contemporary issues.

Patriarch Kirill's initiative will provide training for young adults, who will then create youth groups throughout Russia. The "army" will instill Christian values and moral character in Russian youth, while discouraging Western philosophy, which tends to focus on secularism, egotism, materialism, and wealth.

Although it may not be realistic to expect to have a youth leader in all of Russia's churches -- there are more than 14,000 Orthodox churches in Russia -- Patriarch Kirill's youth initiative deserves much praise, as it will certainly have a positive impact in instilling Christian values on Russia's young people.