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Cultural Exchanges
Cultural exchanges for both youth and adults always have been a major focus for MVERN. Since its inception in 1997, more than 300 Americans, including 90 youth, have traveled to Russia with MVERN, on 14 different cultural exchanges. Approximately 25 Russian youth from St. Nicholas Church also have come to the U.S. in alternating years. American travelers to Russia take medical supplies, school supplies, and Christmas gifts for distribution at St. Nicholas, an orphanage, a school for developmentally disabled children, a women’s prison, and a regional hospital.
Youth Mission/Pilgrimage Trips: To Russia With LoveSince 1999 Episcopal and Orthodox youth from throughout southern Ohio have traveled to Russia with MVERN on five life-changing trips - pilgrimages with a mission. After exploring Russian history and culture in St. Petersburg, the youth and their chaperones spent time in Sablino, Russia, the site of St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, MVERN’s partner parish. Read More  Russian Youth Exchanges to OhioDuring five exchanges, MVERN has brought 25 Russian teenagers from St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Sablino, Russia, to Ohio to meet Episcopal youth from throughout the Miami Valley. Quickly breaking down all barriers and with joyful exuberance, friendships have developed that official diplomatic exchanges can never match. For two weeks our Russian guests have stayed in the homes of Episcopal teenagers, getting to know our families, our communities, churches, schools, and our love. Read More 
Adult Trips to RussiaMore than 210 adult travelers, including clergy and laypersons, have seen first-hand the results of MVERN’s work with St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Sablino on MVERN-sponsored trips. The itineraries of these ten trips have included the new Youth Center, the St. Alexei Chapel, an orphanage, a school for developmentally disabled children, a hospital, schools and even a large women’s prison – all part of Fr. Nikolai’s remarkable outreach ministry. Read More |