Speaking during a visit to Russia's Tula Region, to the south of Moscow, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia said that if a priest merely "rings the bells, sits and waits for believers to arrive," then the church will not be able to meet people's demands, which he said included improving the moral climate in society, as well as reducing the number of divorces, abortions and crimes.
"The Lord said: 'Go ye therefore, and teach all nations'. He did not say: 'Sit there and wait until people arrive,'" he said. "I think today the main object of our efforts should be schools, education and youth."
The patriarch also said it was necessary to learn how to talk to young people correctly.
Patriarch Kirill, seen as a liberal in the traditionalist Russian Orthodox Church, also cited statistics in line with which 80% of Russian residents were baptized as Orthodox Christians, 62% call themselves Orthodox believers in polls, and a mere 10% are practicing Orthodox Christians.
Kirill was crowned as Russia's new church leader on February 1. He replaced Patriarch Alexy II, who died in December at the age of 79. Alexy led a revival of faith in Russia following the collapse of the officially atheist Soviet Union.
