Priest Anthony Smirnov is a graduate of the Sretensky Theological Seminary, a clergyman of the Church of St. John the Soldier responsible for youth ministry at his church and organizer of the Yakimanka[1] youth club. Fr. Anthony shares in this interview how the idea of forming a club originated, what interest groups operate under the auspices of the club, and why it is necessary to pay special attention to the young people who join the Church.
Priest Anthony Smirnov with the participants of the Yakimanka youth club
— Father Anthony, please tell us what an Orthodox youth club is.
— Several decades ago, the Russian Orthodox Church came to an understanding that it is necessary to pay special attention to the young people, because this is the future not only of the Church, but also of our country. With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, every parish was to introduce a position responsible for youth ministry. This office involves not only the bringing in and working with the youth, but also accountability. Once every quarter, my colleagues and I report on the results of our work. It’s actually great that this reporting doesn’t become an issue of paramount importance; it’s more important to put greater emphasis on the quality of our work with our youth. When they understand they are treated with sincere love and an open heart, they respond in kind. I’d say that the Orthodox youth community is a group of parish youth united both by spiritual exploits and a great number of good and worthy deeds they are willing to perform. It is especially important to get a good idea who is in your youth club — their personal qualities, place of work, and expectations from the spiritual life. This helps to see the big picture — where to start and where to go.
— How did you start your youth ministry?
— I was made responsible for the parish youth ministry three years ago on May 22, the commemoration day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Although I had already been working with the young people prior to this appointment for nine years. It immediately became obvious how much we need this: I was the youngest priest in the parish. Even before the Yakimanka youth club was founded, I was able to bring the young people together according to their interests. We played soccer together, participated in races, and attended exhibitions and museums.
It’s good that in 2022 I wasn’t alone who started this work — I had an assistant Anastasia Zinovieva. It is really great when a youth club has two responsible persons — a layman and a priest. This approach in the organization of work allows us to pay attention to everyone who joins us. The thing is that not everyone is immediately willing to talk with the priest on spiritual matters. For some, it is important to do it gradually. Some young people would at first rather speak to the lay people, who are like them. And then some others need a conversation with the priest. Everything’s on a case-by-case basis.
On the very first day of our work, we created a group chat in Telegram. We put up a sign in the church narthex saying that we founded a youth club and everyone’s invited. At the bottom of the sign, we added a QR code to join our chat. This was used as an initial step in order to bring together our very first group members.
I also set a personal goal for myself — to bring in the young people in person. As soon I walked inside the temple and noticed a young parishioner, I’d immediately introduce myself, ask a few questions and invite to join our club. It often took place during the service. I had nothing but a few minutes on hand. And during this short moment, I would chat with a potential newcomer and inspire him to join us.
Presbyter Anthony Smirnov with wife Olga — How did the young people react when you approached them with an invitation to join the youth club?
— Typically, everyone was a little shocked, but also happy the priest came to talk to them. You’d agree that this doesn’t really fit into the idea of infrequent church goers: here you are, standing in a corner, and then — just like that! A priest comes up — and he’s young, and fun, and he asks: how’s life, how you’re doing, and invites you to a community of young people like you. The majority were excited to join us.
After a conversation with a future member, I’d show him the sign with the QR code. All that was left for him to do was to point a phone camera, participate in the chat and come to our meeting. He simply had no other options left but to join us (smiles). During the first six months of work, we’ve grown to over a hundred people.
Some would probably be surprised, but this method worked really well. We currently have three hundred regular members. And over the course of three years since our club was officially founded, about six hundred people have passed through our club.
— Do you use this system of recruitment to the Yakimanka club now as well?
— No. We currently recruit new members more cautiously. It isn’t as easy now to be added to our club chat. Before an interested person becomes our member, I or my assistant — currently Anna Andreeva — exchange messages with him, and then we suggest he fill out a questionnaire.
When we understand that this person is really interested, we invite him to attend a meeting at the club, where we ask him to talk about himself. And only after that is a new participant added to the Yakimanka chat. We need this so that our club would be made up only of those who sincerely want to grow spiritually and become a part of church life. Equally important is the safety of communication. Since I am responsible for youth ministry, I must know that our club members enjoy a truly healthy communication that is beneficial to them.
The system for accepting new members has changed a bit: the QR code directs an interested young person to multiple links. So now, anyone willing to become a part of the Yakimanka youth club can find out in advance what our club is like. By clicking on the button, you end up on the page offering an overview of the club’s activities. You can find everything about us there. There is also a separate link to contact me or my assistant.
A meeting at the youth club
— Father Anthony, what are your club meetings like?
— During the first year, we had one weekly meeting on Sunday after the Divine Liturgy. With the blessing of Vladyka Silouan, Yakimanka holds these meetings in one of the most beautiful places in the parish — our festal refectory. And before we begin our conversations about spiritual life, we share a fun and friendly common meal. We buy sweets and other dishes, and those in charge of the meal set the table. Because even Jesus Christ first fed the apostles after His Resurrection and only then did He preach to them.
— What are the topics of discussion on your Sunday’s sessions?
— We discuss the theme of a given Sunday — what it is dedicated to. Or it could be a reading from the Gospel. At first, I was the one who prepared materials for the conversation. These days, we have reached the level where my participation is cut to a minimum. And so, anyone who has such desire delivers a presentation on a given topic. Additionally, we get to know our new participants on our Sunday meetings and try to study something. For example, with my help, our youth was able to grasp all the texts they could read during the service. We had a detailed study of services of the First, Third, Sixth and Ninth Hour, and historical liturgics, which is a whole area of science about the history of a particular service, its order, psalms, including in different languages with the commentaries of the Holy Fathers). It all took about a year and a half, taking into account that we held weekly classes. Those who are willing to read the Hours are invited to take part in the service.
Camouflage netting made by the members of the youth club Currently, we are studying the Acts of the Holy Apostles. At the meeting, once we are done reading the text, we discuss it and share opinions and thoughts about it. Later on, we listen to our speakers who prepared the commentaries of the Holy Fathers on a given chapter. As a rule, our Sunday meeting lasts for two or three hours.
— But you currently have many more formats for your meetings, haven’t you? The youth club operates practically on a daily basis, right?
— Right, if you look at the current schedule of meetings in our youth club, you’ll realize that our youth is busy doing things practically all week long. For four days — from Monday till Thursday — we weave camouflage netting for our soldiers. After all, we are the parishioners of the Church of St John the Soldier!
On Monday evening, they play table games and hold sports events.
On Tuesday, our youth choir group meets.
On Wednesday, they study Church Slavonic and first aid, and do physical training.
On Thursday, there is yet another youth choir group practice.
Priest Anthony Smirnov with the Yakimanka youth choir
On Friday, they study a foreign language by reading the Gospel in English.
On one of the Saturdays of the month, the “Mercy” team helps the children from the “Road of Life” children’s charitable foundation, to pray at the service and receive Communion. And then, we go and have tea together.
Thanks to the questionnaires that the young people fill out once they’ve joined the club, we have been able to organize groups according to areas of activity. That’s how we set up teams at the Yakimanka club.
To be continued…