Dialogue with Academia and Christians

A Meeting of Minds and Hearts

Participants included representatives of Christian and secular universities, as well as members of academic and religious studies communities, who presented on a variety of thought-provoking topics.

• Galina Vladimirova, a Bachelor of Theology and graduate of the St. Petersburg Evangelical Theological Academy, shared her research on the mysterious figure of the Queen of Sheba, drawing from the Bible and folk traditions of various cultures.
   
• Historian Vladimir Popov, a lecturer at the Moscow Institute of Sacred Music, presented on the topic:
   "Evil and Evangelical Virtue in Nikolai Leskov's Story The Valley of Sorrow", exploring Christian themes in Russian literature.
   
• Tatyana Nikolskaya, Associate Professor at St. Petersburg Christian University, Ph.D. in History, and member of the Russian Writers’ Union, gave an account of the Khrushchev-era persecution of Pentecostal Christians in the Moscow region, grounding her analysis in documented evidence.
   
• Elena Nekrasova, an art historian and faculty member at the St. Petersburg Institute of Performing Arts, gave a presentation on the spiritual significance of silence and pauses in classical sacred music, reminding us how moments of stillness can point us toward the presence of God.
   

Philosophical and Theological Reflections

Notable contributions were made by philosophers and religious scholars:

• Victor Kurilov, Ph.D. in Philosophy and Associate Professor at the A.S. Pushkin Leningrad State University, delivered a talk on:
   "The Technology of Forming Atheistic Public Opinion in the USSR: A Case Study of the Mikryukov Baptist Family."
   His research highlighted the resilience of Christian families under Soviet atheistic pressure.
   
• Vladimir Andreev, Director of the Center for Religious and Ethno-Confessional Studies, and Associate Professor at the Dostoevsky Russian Christian Humanities Academy, addressed the challenges of the ecumenical movement in the 21st century.
  He also presented the works of the late scholar Mikhail Smirnov, whose academic and popular writings vividly map the religious landscape of modern Russia.
  
   Andreev emphasized Smirnov’s core conviction:
  
  "To bring about unity in society, there must be healthy dialogue between academia and believers."
   

Literature, Music, and the Spirit of Fellowship

The conference featured a literary and musical evening at the historic Pelageya Butuzova House, a cultural landmark. From 1918 to 1924, this building was home to a Latvian Baptist church. Today, it houses the private film museum of Valery Rubtsov and occasionally hosts evangelical Christian music and educational events.

The evening included:

• Performances by the church's vocal-instrumental ensemble;
   
• Spiritual poetry by Galina Schultz;
   
• Reflections on the life and ministry of Ivan Prokhanov, shared by Vladimir Popov;
   
• And joyful renditions of Prokhanov's hymns, still vibrant and uplifting today.
   

A Worshipful Conclusion

The conference culminated in a Sunday worship service, which is always a central and sacred element of the event. The service is known for its solemnity, historical reflections, and the involvement of the church brass orchestra, made up of musicians from various generations.

The musical repertoire includes both traditional evangelical hymns and selections from world classical music, all offered as an act of worship to God.

Veliky Novgorod: A Heritage of Faith

Though Veliky Novgorod may not be large in population, its greatness lies in its rich historical and spiritual heritage. Within its bounds stands the majestic Evangelical Church of God—a spiritual oasis and a true cultural center, where "researchers and believers" continue to meet in fruitful, God-honoring fellowship.