Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Official website of the State –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On October 4, 2025, students from the Expeditionary Corps of the State University of Management arrived in the village of Vozhega in the Vologda Region to carry out restoration work in churches.
On the first day, Father John, the rector of the local diocese, gave the expedition participants a tour of the village and told them about its history. During the tour, the students visited the Church of the Prophet Elijah and the Trinity Church, which was under construction. For the latter, our expedition provided two bricks bearing the name of the University of Management and the University Expeditionary Corps, which will support the walls of the new church.
Next, the children visited the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the village of Gridino and learned the history of this place.
On the second day, the students were introduced to the churches of Beketovskaya village. Their work week began there. The girls were busy landscaping the grounds of Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, while the young men took on what was literally the dirtiest and dustiest work – clearing slag and sawdust from the church's ceiling and attic.
On the third day, work is scheduled to dismantle the ceiling of the old workshop at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Our students will also help clean out the interior of St. Nicholas Church.
We share the impressions of the expedition participants, this time including a master's student from the Russian State University for the Humanities.
Nikita Belyaev, ISUiP, third-year: "Every trip is a living lesson that can't be learned in a classroom. It's constant movement, new people, unexpected discoveries. It's the best way to broaden your horizons—not by watching other people's content, but through your own experiences."
Polina Gindullina, IIS, third-year student: "For me, the Expeditionary Corps is primarily about people and the road. Expeditionary life, with its simple routine and lack of convention, naturally brings people together. Shared challenges and experiences become the foundation for warm and close relationships. And so, gradually, with each trip, the team develops into a true road family with its own stories and vibe. On the road, you develop the skill of being flexible and appreciating not only the result but the journey itself. It allows you to organize your thoughts, focus on what's important, and reminds you how wonderful it is to be in the moment and appreciate the beauty of nature."
Anastasia Kuznetsova, IOM, second-year: "The expeditionary corps feels like one big family, like friends you've been going to the same camp with for years. They're all sociable, hardworking people who know what they want. It's not like everyone's on their own on these trips; we're all together, a team that works together during the day and gathers in the evening to discuss the day, play games, and just spend time together. Plus, it's great to know that you're not only having a good time but also helping people."
Kătălin Grigoryev, ISULP, first-year master's student: "I enjoy being part of the Expeditionary Corps for several reasons. First and foremost, it's a huge contribution to the development of our university's expeditions. Also, in my opinion, it's during an expedition that you can truly experience and understand how a team works and the roles within it, which is essential knowledge for future university managers."
Fyodor Gudkov, RSUH, Historical and Archival Institute, Faculty of Archival Science and Documentation, first-year Master's student: "Traveling and expeditions are very interesting to me. I've been involved in active tourism since childhood, participating in long rafting trips on the Seversky Donets River and long-distance cycling trips. I'm happy to be part of the GUU Expeditionary Corps, as it offers a unique opportunity to see my country and also to benefit society by participating in creative work. This is precisely the goal of our current trip to the village of Beketovskaya in the Vologda Oblast. I'm looking forward to new experiences, the opportunity to contribute to the preservation of cultural and historical sites, and to helping specific people. This type of volunteer work is not at all foreign to me—I've volunteered twice in the SVO zone. I hope to go on hikes and trips with the GUU Expeditionary Corps as often as possible!"
Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: October 6, 2025.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
