Steps to the Light

(2013) "Gang stealing", "armed robbery", "illegal keeping or illicit traffic of narcotic drugs", "grievous bodily harm", " car theft"… After breaking the laws which are listed in these articles of the criminal code teenagers get into the Organization of Social Adaptation "St.

(2013) "Gang stealing", "armed robbery", "illegal keeping or illicit traffic of narcotic drugs", "grievous bodily harm", " car theft"… After breaking the laws which are listed in these articles of the criminal code teenagers get into the Organization of Social Adaptation "St. Basil The Great".

This Organization placed in St.-Petersburg (Russia) is practicing alternative ways of educating instead of prison. It was built up by the Russian Orthodox Church and now it exists by efforts of certain priests and faithful people. All teenagers are leaving there for nine months.

The guys and their mentors go to museums, art exhibitions, concerts, theatres almost every day. Many of the inmates were born in problem families and didn't see something except drunken parents. In the Organization they all go to high school, work at a pottery workshop, go in for bodybuilding, horse riding and training in a section hand-to-hand fightingt. In summer all children and all mentors have an annual travel to the North of Russia for two months.

The Organization of Social Adaptation has its traditions, for example a grace before and after eating. But participating in religious exercise isn't forced. The inmates take part in prayers if they wish. Priests and psychologists talk with them regularly.

Last year I spent some time with those young criminals like an assistant teacher. I most wondered watching as faces get brighten. The greatest wonder is a wonder of transfiguration of a man. There are drug addicts, thieves, carjackers who start making the first steps on a road to... sacredness of life. My photo project about this Organization has not been completed yet. I would like to carry on it.