Update from Moscow

ETSM began its new school year with 11 new students. This is a relatively high enrollment. (In fact, the only time we had more than 11 new students was with the initial group of students ten years ago). Altogether with the returning students and interns, we have an enrollment of 36. We have an additional 36 students enrolled in the Moscow “extension.” The new students come from various parts of Russia, including Caucasus, Urals, Samara, Siberia, and Moscow proper.

The school still has several hurdles to jump in the licensing process, so please keep it and also us in your prayers. Today our provost met with officials from the Federal Registration Services, a division of what used to be the KGB, to discuss the needed changes to the seminary’s constitution in the licensing process. Apparently we need to make some minor changes before our new constitution can be accepted by the FRS. But our provost (Ilya Okhotnikov) stated that the overall tone from this government office was constructive.