Evangelization and Catechesis

Russia is a challenging mission territory because of its atheistic history, but it is ripe for evangelization. Statistically, 50 to 60 percent of Russians profess the Russian Orthodox faith, and 15 percent of Russians profess adherence to Islam. However, in reality, fewer than one-tenth of 1 percent of Russians regularly practice any religion at all.

To remedy this situation, the parishes run by Fr. Myron Effing and Fr. Daniel Maurer are involved in evangelization and catechetical activities. Every parish has an RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) program for adult converts, and online Catholic correspondence courses are available on the topics "Introduction to Christianity," "Christianity and Islam," and "Children's Bible Course," all run by catechist Viktor Anisimov. (Fr. Myron is the developer of the 12-lesson "Introduction to Christianity" course, which is available in both English and Russian. Catechist Viktor is available to answer questions via email.) Every summer, children and young adults in Fr. Myron's parishes take part in a bible camp. Pre-seminary classes have been established at the Far Eastern Technical Institute.

Publication of newsletters and bulletins help the Catholic Church and her doctrines become more visible. A monthly bulletin, Zrya Vladivostoka (Vladivostok Sunrise, Russian edition) is sent to all Catholics in Fr. Myron's and Fr. Daniel's parishes, as well as all to Catholics within the Vladivostok deanery. Prinyat Zhizhni (Accept Life) is a monthly bulletin promoting the Women's Support Centers and contining information on prolife issues. Catholicism can be heard over the airwaves in Khabarovsky Krai, which hosts a Catholic radio station.

The local Legion of Mary presidium, headed by Fr. Daniel, goes door-to-door distributing Catholic literature, telling Russians about the Catholic faith and inviting them to the local parish. Catholic bibles and Catholic literature have been distributed to over 75,000 addresses. The Legion members also teach catechism to adolescents.

The Russian sacred music scene is also an important means of evangelization. Fr. Daniel began the Russian Liturgical Music Society of St. Augustine in 1994, whose goal is to find, translate, compose, and disseminate beautiful liturgical music in Russian suitable for the Roman Catholic rite. Fr. Daniel also founded the professional Catholic Concert Choir of Vladivostok, which performs concerts of sacred hymns and oratorios each year. The concerts are open to the public, and they are standing room only. The concerts are built around religious themes, and Fr. Daniel uses them as an opportunity to evangelize the concert-goers, some of whom have never before been inside a church.