Adult Trips to Russia

More 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 and even a large women's prison - all part of Fr. Nikolai's remarkable outreach ministry. Travelers on every trip have carried extra suitcases, jammed with medical supplies and Christmas toys for the children at St. Nicholas and the nearby orphanage.

Itineraries always included St. Petersburg, long considered the artistic and cultural center of Russia, with special extensions to Novgorod and Moscow and other communities of historic significance. During their time in these beautiful cities, MVERN travelers have toured the magnificent palaces of the Tsars , visited world-famous art museums, including the Hermitage State Museum, and attended ballet performances in both St. Petersburg and Moscow.

The Russian Orthodox Church with its gifts of iconography, liturgy, music and deep spirituality, has nourished the soul of Russia for over 1000 years. MVERN travelers met Orthodox clergy and visited other Orthodox churches that are partnered with American Episcopal parishes. They worshiped with Christian communities that have endured incredible hardships and persecution under Soviet Communism. If the travelers are fortunate enough to be in St. Petersburg at either Christmas or Easter, they have been special guests of Metropolitan Vladimir of St. Petersburg at impressive services at St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

All MVERN trips are led by Dr. Igor Tolochin, a professor of Linguistics at St. Petersburg University, and Chris Saunders, MVERN founder. The Rt. Rev. Thomas Breidenthal, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio, will accompany the next adult trip tentatively scheduled for June 2011. Complete information will be available by June 2009.

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