Inside The World Of Russian Orthodox Dating

Radio Free Europe ^ | 02-14-2019 | Matthew Luxmoore

[NRx]

MOSCOW -- On a recent snowy Sunday, the 17th-century Dormition Church was drawing evening Mass to a close. The ethereal chants that had for two hours entranced a standing congregation still echoed off the intricately painted walls as Father Aleksy Gomonov retreated to the sacristy to remove his vestments.

But his sizeable, surprisingly young flock remained. As tables were brought in and arranged in neat rows among the ancient icons and golden candelabra, the crowd began to mingle. Off came the thick winter coats, and out came the smartphones. Numbers were traded, eye contact held or averted, and a subdued atmosphere of piety gave way to flirtation and giggles.

It was the latest gathering of the Peter and Fevronia Club, a sort of speed-dating night for Moscow's Orthodox Christians. Each Sunday, after the week's final service, Gomonov brings together the single men and women of his parish, and anyone else keen to join. As they chat over cucumber sandwiches and black tea, he dispenses relationship advice mixed with church teachings.

Many come to find their other half, the old-fashioned way. Others seek a companion for walks, church events, or pilgrimages. And Gomonov, a happily married father of two? He's just killing time.

"I have nothing better to do," he said, his eyes scanning the room over a pair of glasses perpetually balanced on the tip of his nose. "And the youth have nothing to do either."

At 67, Gomonov sports an impressive white beard and a mane of strawberry-blond hair. In the 20 years since he took charge of the Dormition Church, he has fostered a community like few others in Moscow. Parishioners have a dedicated summer camp and a program of civic engagement. They organize ballroom-dancing classes and pilgrimages to sacred Orthodox sites.

[NRx]

[Dr. Sivana]

I guess the Russian women who keep emailing me aren’t the Orthodox ones.

[SauronOfMordor]

The girls look like they want to find someone who can afford heat.

[Veto!]

LOL, heat would be excellent, not necessarily body heat.

[2banana]

That picture is why Russian men drink.

[escapefromboston]

Sounds nice way to meet someone who shares your beliefs. Hopefully Christianity continues to grow in Russia.

[elcid1970]

All the women are wearing babushkas.

[Mears]

Head covering for women probably required,

,

[buckalfa]

Yeah there was a time in America when churches provided appropriate social interaction for young adults. In some ways, America and Russia seem to be exchanging philosophies on community.

[Nothingburger]

The young ladies look pleasant enough. A sweet face and modest attire ... nothing wrong with that.

[NorseViking]

Women don’t go to church with exposed hair and the men don’t wear hats.

[bigbob]

Thread winner!

[Navy Patriot]

An interesting and informative article.

I see a lot of positive aspects of a Church oriented, pro active response to the necessity of supporting Christian influenced potential Marriage and Family interaction among young people (Russian or otherwise).

Pro Christian Marriage and Family lifestyles (especially Orthodox), are under attack in the superior intellectual elitist West (do I need quotes around that?), and this response to Western Social Media directed "dating" "services" for Russians seems wholesome and appropriate.

I do believe I detect an air of condescension in Luxmoore, and reading his other articles confirms it, he'll stick with Tinder and remain "cool".

[caver]

It must be cold there.

[redgolum]

To much liability. Now most churches are not comfortable with singles ministry

[MarMema]

molodyetz

[NRx]

Russian winters are cold. But in the Orthodox Church women are generally expected to have their heads covered when in church and they are discouraged from wearing makeup.

[NorseViking]

One of the new spins in leftist agitprop is equating Eastern Orthodoxy with ISIS and Taliban but worse. According to them Orthodoxy is dark and backward as countrary to Islam which is a religion of peace and love and other Christian denominations which are getting cozier to LGBT and the rest of progressive stuff.

[43north]

Father Aleksy Gomonov is running his parish the way one ought to be run - for the parishioners! Very few church groups like this in the USA any longer which is too bad.

[cherry]

several decades ago in the Catholic church girls and women were required to wear something on their heads...a hat, often a small lacy doily would do....the nuns in school would keep several handy for the girls that forgot theirs on Mass day, and she kept ties in a box for the boys that forgot to wear them.....

quaint old times....wish they were here....