INNOVATIONS IN THE INSTITUTIONS OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Modern globalized education influenced Russian national education and triggered its reorganization, which in turn influenced other public institutions such as Orthodox Church. Religious background has been influencing Russian humanitarian education despite of Soviet anti-Church campaign. At the turn of 20th-21st centuries, Russian theological education demonstrates even higher quality after Soviet and Imperial periods. Soon after the Socialist Revolution in 1917, the state became secular. As result, Soviet government seized to recognize the education mechanisms of Russian Orthodox Church as a whole. Student of academy or seminary of the Church would graduate with diploma, but such a diploma would be recognized in the Church environment only. The Church raised the problem of accreditation of its religious education institutions in early 90s.We believe it is important to analyze the way Orthodox education incorporates into modern Russian education. As a big picture, two approaches apply: A). newly established theological institutions comply with Federal regulations, while applying custom features in order to align with Church ways, as long as the two regulatory frameworks remain consistent, B). Federal accreditation of theological institutions effective since 2008. Recently, authorization process brought a visible outcome: in 2016, Moscow Theological Seminary accredited after 5 years of preparations.One of the most important questions facing the Institute of professional religious education in the 21st century is whether a modern higher spiritual school is capable of forming a person with a bright and creative theological attitude to society and to the life of the Church. When discussing the importance of state accreditation of higher religious institutions of professional religious education, it should be emphasized that as a result of many historical events of the 20th century, there is a big gap between the Church and society. If spiritual schools don't receive accreditation, the existing discrepancy will only increase. At the same time, we are talking not only about the level of education, but also about the process of incorporating religious education into the single educational space of modern Russian society, as well as about the constant joint dialogue with society.We cannot go to ghettos, we cannot isolate ourselves from society. The Church exists for people, so it must sanctify society. It should call people to salvation, to keep the commandments of Christ, this is its mission. The Church is not obliged to agree with society in everything, but it should not lose touch with it. We are in favour of dialogue. This is especially important for the social Institute of professional religious education, which operates in the multi-ethnic and multi-religious regions of our country, where dialogue with society and other religious denominations is of particular importance for all social groups, the state and the Church as a whole.The reform of spiritual education has been the Central theme of the annual International Christmas educational readings for many years. Historically, the circumstances of the life of the Church in the 20th century clearly show that the scientific quality of theology is directly related to theological, namely -religious education and spiritual enlightenment. Religious education has become an integral and essential part of the Church's mission in the modern world community.Theological education in Russia has always been set on a mission of moral development of the nation. Nowadays, key topic for research is positive influence of Russian theological education on one's morality through theological perception of national society and its everyday life. In this regard, special attention required to maintain a balance of innovations and traditions of the theological institutions. Either approach to the incorporation proved to have its advantages and drawbacks. Recently, both approaches efficiently apply on the