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Orthodox Christianity Classes Proposed for Russian Schools

Vladimir Smirnov / TASS

Classes on Orthodox Christian culture could soon appear in the Russian curriculum, the Kommersant newspaper reported Tuesday.

Lessons on subjects such as "moral culture in the Orthodox family,” “the Christian warrior,” and “distorted Biblical texts used by sects,” would be held for Russian children in grades one to 11.

Fourteen-year-olds would be expected to describe different kinds of church bells, name the seven Ecumenical councils, and use the Orthodox calendar.

Russian children currently study "religious cultures and secular ethics" as part of the elementary school curriculum, as well as “the spiritual and moral culture of the peoples of Russia"

The proposal was put forward by members of Russia’s Federal Training and Methodological Association, the group tasked with forming the country’s curriculum. Thirty-six member have currently backed the plans, with voting set to continue until the end of the month.

A similar proposal was put forward earlier this year, but was ultimately rejected, Kommersant reported.

The Ministry of Education has not yet commented on the issue.

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