orthodoxrights.org

February 10, 2015 the metropolitan of Tatarstan and Kazan Theophanes stated that it proves quite “difficult” to introduce the subject “Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture” (FOC) in the curriculum in Tatarstan, as reports sedmitza.ru. “It is a complicated question and I wouldn’t like to cross swords over challenging issues” – he sad during the press conference at the diocesan office. He added that “the church is working on this issue”. “I think that if we avoid clashes and conduct a peaceful dialog with the regional authorities, we will be able to reach the desired compromise” he emphasized.

Currently within the framework of the course “Fundamentals of religious culture and secular ethics”, 4^th form students of Tatarstan primary schools are taught only two modules from the six possible, namely “Fundamentals of secular ethics” and “Fundamentals of world religious cultures”. Neither “Fundamentals of Islamic culture” nor FOC is included. Public officials explain that this is the “free choice” of parents, that people “are conscious of the significance of this issue” and therefore “advocate” that children must not be segregated by their religious affiliation. Last year however, Patriarch Kirill accused the Tatarstan authorities of violation of rights of orthodox Christians referring to the Republic as “the unique” region (for FOC courses are provided even in Chechen Republic, though the rate of orthodox representatives there is significantly lower). He declared that the Church will make every effort “to overcome this unhealthy situation”.