In 1997 Fr. Eugenio Mazzeo was assigned to work in Radio Maria, St. Petersburg. Until now, this is the only radio station of Radio Maria Worldwide Stations in Russia. Throughout this time, thanks to his hard work, it was possible to carry out an apostolate of great significance in Russia, and now it has a good number of listeners and friends. According to some recent surveys, Radio Maria has an audience of about 30.000 in St. Petersburg and its surrounding areas. The vast majority are Orthodox, some Catholics and people who, not professing any creed appreciate the work don by Radio Maria for the Russian People.

New Studios

  In July 2004, thanks to Radio Maria Italy, we got new studios and updated equipment. A neighboring building was bought which enabled us to have more rooms for our work. Soon a chapel will be built where Mass will be celebrated and people will be able to visit the Blessed Sacrament.

The people

  To run Radio Maria in a non-catholic country presupposes some challenges because of the lack of volunteers. Radio Maria traditionally carries out its work worldwide thanks to the help of his many volunteers. After this many years of hard work Radio Maria St. Petersburg has 200 volunteers and 13 staff members.

Religious content of the Radio

  Daily are read some catholic and orthodox prayers and the holy Rosary. Every Sunday, Mass is broadcasted along with the Divine Liturgy. Five times a day Holy Scripture is read in radio programs.

  This current year, Fr. Eugenio has started a new program briefly explaining the readings and the gospel of the Mass. This new program adds to Logos in which Fr. Eugenio tries to go deeper in some Christian topics. Listeners can phone and ask questions or simple add to what was said in the program.

  Around 10 orthodox priests help us in the radio. Every week there is some time devoted to the different activities organized by the five Catholic parishes and the Catholic Church. There is also a program run by seminarists from the diocesan seminary.

Other content

  Radio Maria is above all a Christian radio but also it is interested in content related to culture and society. Radio Maria, in Russia, has proven to be an excellent tool when it is needed to help society. That is why many Christians use the radio to help the often forgotten areas of our society. It is worth mentioning the programs that help society to have a better attitude towards handicapped people, and some other programs that fight against alcoholism and drugs. These broadcasts are run by psychologists and experts form the Christian Center of Psychology in St. Petersburg, “Alelon”.

  Also through Radio Maria listeners are able to consult experts on laws and medicine.

  Another scope of Radio Maria is to uphold Christian and human values that are present in Classic and Russian literature and thus there are programs in which some texts of this kind are read. Also there are programs on music on which many musicians take part.

  There are also programs on the history of the Church, on the history of the Church in Russia, and the history of Russia itself. Some other programs are related to universal culture and Russian culture and some are on Christian philosophy.

Special Guests

  Our Archbishop, Msgr. Kondrusiewicz visits us each time he comes to St. Petersburg. This last year we were visited by Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, from the Congregation for Catholic Education, and by the rector of Lublin’s University.

Press

  Fr. Eugenio also runs Encuentro Catholic Press which produces some CDs with the radio programs required by the audience.