TRADITIONAL VALUES AND CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES: THE ROLE OF THE ORTHODOX PARISH IN THE UPBRINGING OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN THE PROCESS OF RUSSIA'S SPIRITUAL REVIVAL

Abstract

Contemporary Russian society is undergoing a complex period of value transformation. On the one hand, globalization processes and the expansion of mass culture are actively introducing into the youth environment value orientations alien to the traditional Russian mentality: hedonism, consumerism, the erosion of the institution of family and marriage, and ethnic indifference. On the other hand, there is a persistent demand for spiritual revival, the strengthening of national identity, and a turn toward historical, cultural, and religious roots. In this situation, the search for social institutions capable of serving as a moral reference point and a "safe harbour" for the younger generation in an aggressive information environment becomes particularly relevant. Historically, the Orthodox parish has acted as such an institution. However, as contemporary research demonstrates, the potential of parish work is not fully realized. A gap is recorded between the formal religious identity of young people (the majority identify themselves as Orthodox) and the actual level of church involvement, with a deficit of active participation in church life. Simultaneously, new religious movements are becoming more active, offering surrogate forms of spirituality and creating risks for the mental and physical health of children. Thus, an objective need arises for a comprehensive scholarly understanding of the role of the Orthodox parish as a subject of upbringing that transmits traditional values under contemporary challenges. Identifying effective forms of work, analysing existing problems, and determining prospects for the development of parish educational activity are of not only theoretical but also significant practical importance for the system of spiritual and moral education in Russia. The aim of the study is to determine the potential and specificity of the Orthodox parish's activity in the upbringing of children and adolescents in the context of the collision between traditional values and contemporary challenges of Russian society.