Russian schools are increasingly incorporating 'chastity lessons' led by Orthodox priests to promote abstinence, discourage abortion, and emphasize traditional family values.
Key facts
- •The 'chastity lessons' are primarily targeted at students in grades 9 through 11.
- •Family Studies, which includes these lessons, was taught in 42 Russian regions as of 2025.
- •The course is scheduled to become a nationwide optional extracurricular offering in the 2026-27 academic year.
- •Archpriest Yevgeny Klementyev has shown students graphic footage of surgical abortions to convey what he describes as the truth about the procedure.
- •Russia's fertility rate reached its lowest level in two decades earlier this year.
Orthodox priests are increasingly visiting Russian schools to conduct 'chastity lessons' for students in grades 9 through 11. These sessions, which often feature fetal models and anti-abortion films, are part of a broader effort to promote traditional family values amid Russia's declining fertility rates. The lessons are frequently integrated into the government's new Family Studies course, which was introduced in 2024 and is slated for a nationwide rollout as an optional extracurricular program by the 2026-27 academic year.
Curriculum and Content
The lessons focus on promoting abstinence before marriage and discouraging abortion, often contrasting Christian marriage with cohabitation. In some instances, priests have shown students graphic footage of surgical abortions or screened films produced by the Orthodox television channel Spas, such as 'Mama's Letter' and 'Playing Family.' These materials are intended to influence students' views on reproduction and family roles, with some clergy members advocating for additional outreach, including the production of branded merchandise for teenagers.
Regional Implementation and Reception
Implementation of these lessons varies by region, with higher concentrations reported in central areas like Voronezh, Bryansk, and Yaroslavl. While the Russian Orthodox Church maintains a significant presence in these classrooms, some experts note that the church's influence in schools is less prominent in regions like Siberia, Udmurtia, and Buryatia. The initiative has faced mixed reactions, with some teachers and parents expressing skepticism about the effectiveness of the lessons and suggesting that family-related topics should be handled at home.
Timeline
- 2010sRegions like Yaroslavl and Kostroma began offering the Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture elective.
- 2024The Education Ministry introduced the new Family Studies course.
- 2025Lawmaker Nikolai Burlyaev proposed making chastity lessons compulsory.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Moscow Times.
