PA „Filocalia” hosting the International Conference „FAITH IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE”

Between November 6 and November 9, PA “Filocalia” hosted the International Conference “Faith in the Public Square” organized by „St. Andrew’s Biblical Theological Institute from Moscow, Russia in partnership with the NGO “Filocalia” with the financial support of  ICCO – “Kerk in Actie” from Utrecht, The Netherlands.

The event was attended by guests from 11 countries: Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, The Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Bulgaria, UK, Romania, Belgium and the USA.

In addition to the conference itself, where participants presented their speeches on the subject, culminating with discussions and conclusions at a roundtable, participants had a program of extra-activities.

Guests enjoyed an excursion to the heart of the capital of the country, became acquainted with a representative winery of our country and had the opportunity to enjoy traditional Moldovan dishes. They also visited the Social Center “St. Filaret the Merciful” from Costesti village, Ialoveni region, sponsored by PA “Filocalia” where Father Vasile Ciobanu, pastor of the church “St. Nicholas” made a retrospective in the history of the local sanctuary and of the social center. Children beneficiaries of the center welcomed the guests with beautiful religious songs and showed them the collection of handmade works made ​​by them.
On Sunday guests saw the beauty of Curchi secular monastery where Hieromonk Father Iov told them the history of one of the oldest and the highest monastery of Moldova. The same day they had the opportunity to attend, together with NGO’s volunteers a creative master class organized by PA “Filocalia” in the special boarding school for deaf children in the village of Harbovat.

Organizing such a conference was a first for PA “Filocalia”. According to the opinions expressed by participants, we managed to organize a proper support and create a pleasant environment for those who have visited our country, some of them – for the first time.