IntroductionWELCOME to the Administrative Center of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia. We hope your visit will

be a pleasant one.

The complex of buildings you are visiting is called Bethel, which means “House of God.” This

Biblical name is fitting since those who live and serve here are ordained ministers. They have ded-

icated themselves to Jehovah God and devote themselves full-time to supporting the work of King-

dom preaching.

These facilities are used to support the ministry of over 160,000 Witnesses of Jehovah in more

than 2,400 congregations throughout Russia, and over 4,600 Witnesses in more than 50 congre-

gations in Belarus.

In 236 lands, there are now more than 7,500,000 Witnesses of Jehovah carrying out the com-

mission Jesus gave his followers to preach the “good news of the Kingdom.” (Matthew 24:14; 28:

19, 20) To organize this work, there are more than 90 Bethel homes such as this one worldwide.

Jehovah’s Witnesses in RussiaJehovah’s Witnesses have been active in Russia for more than a century. Thousands of them

were persecuted in the Soviet Union and exiled to Siberia and the Far East. In 1996, a presiden-

tial decree exonerated them as victims of political repression.

Today, Jehovah’s Witnesses enjoy freedom of worship throughout Russia. Our activities were

first registered in 1991. In 1999 our religious organization received the official status of a recog-

nized religion in Russia. Construction on this Bethel complex in the village of Solnechnoye, about

25 miles north of St. Petersburg, began in 1992 and was completed in 1997. Later, because of

the tremendous growth of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia, two new residence buildings and a new

storage facility were added. These were dedicated on May 17, 2003. All construction on the Beth-

el complex from its very beginning was carried out by volunteers—Jehovah’s Witnesses from Rus-

sia, Scandinavia, and other countries.

It is our sincere hope that your visit to Bethel will help you to appreciate how Jehovah’s Witness-

es are organized to serve God unitedly as a worldwide Christian brotherhood.WE SINCERELY hope that your visit to Bethel has been a reward-

ing one. No doubt it has helped you to become better acquaint-

ed with the work that Jehovah’s Witnesses are doing to aid peo-

ple in their quest for a better future through God’s Kingdom. May

your visit with us be an encouragement to you in your efforts to

learn more about our loving Creator and to live by his righteous

standards.

Visiting HoursVisitors are welcome to take a guided tour of our facilities from

Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

to 3:00 p.m. The tours begin in the main reception lobby. No

tours are provided on the weekend. We appreciate it when large

groups notify us in advance of their visit.

Location: Ul. Srednyaya 6, Solnechnoye, St. Petersburg, Rus-

sian Federation 197739

Telephone: �7 812 702 2690

Web: www.jw.org

You may also visit our Assembly Hall at 21 Kolomyazhskiy

Prospekt, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation 197341.

� 2012 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved.Printed in Finland, 201 fo-E Ru

Welcome to theWelcome to theAdministrative CenterAdministrative Center

of Jehovah’s Witnessesof Jehovah’s Witnessesin Russiain Russia

3

The Bethel family in Russia has over

300 members. Each is provided with a room,

meals, and a monthly allowance to assist with

modest expenses. In addition to their activity

at Bethel, each member of the family person-

ally participates in the Kingdom-preaching ac-

tivity with one of the nearby congregations. Al-

though those serving here at Bethel come from

a variety of ethnic groups, they can truly be

called a family because of their unity in serv-

ing their heavenly Father, Jehovah God.—Psalm

133:1.

Each workday morning, the Bethel family

comes together at the breakfast table to con-

sider a Bible text from Examining the Scrip-

tures Daily. A chairman presides over this

15-minute discussion, and members of the

family are asked to comment on the text. After

prayer, breakfast is served.

On Monday evenings, the Bethel family gath-

ers to study the Bible with the help of a Bible-

study publication. Occasionally, there are spe-

cial programs, such as lectures after the family

study. Each family member also makes time

for personal Bible study and has access to our

library that contains more than 3,700 vol-

umes. These include the publications of Jeho-

vah’s Witnesses and other reference works.

Some family members serve in the kitchen

where they prepare three wholesome meals

each day for the entire family. Other family

members do cleaning, laundry, and mainte-

nance. Much of this work contributes to the

high standard of cleanliness.

The Bethel Family

�¿��¿ bd`mZ/* f*VmyV*bnZ1H �1j1WÀ`Z1 +\`mZ-m 4*Y*ZZ*Z +\`hmO

-*Z a\`*dW*`-* Ê*,*]ZmD �14 /À Y\Z/my a\`*dW*`-* Ê*,*] o4WSa14/1`B

�WW*Ñm +14Z1 q`*b*YmH�d-mjW*` ÑÀY -*4*]W*` V*yh*Z /*

+dWa* +1bÀ`Y1H�1j1 ºW-ÀhE *Zm¶ +1WÀZ ZÀ`aÀ +dW*H

¹W-ÀZ V1j1WÀ` ¾h1Z ¾Y1b +*`YmH

�WW*Ñm Sj1ba1Z ¾h1ZE ZSh1V /\-* VmWm`-*H

�Àf1bW1 +dWm` ¾h1ZE ZÀ`aÀ ojWÀ`-ÀH�d a\`*dW*`-* Ê*,*]Zm V*y/*Z o4WÀ`-ÀH �Sb*]f*ZÀ-À qVS VSb*]

VS+1b1ZÀ +*`a*-m4E a14 Y1¶WÀ-ÀZ VSb*]W*` Vº`1`a14D �W*`Zm¶ ÑÀ`O

+1`a1Z/À +d a\`*dW*`-* Ê*,*] +*` /S] Àyb1WÀE ÀYY* 1j VmZ* +1`

VSb*]b* Àyb1W-ÀZZÀ` SV1Zh1 VSb*]b* Àyb1W-ÀZ-À V*`jm VSWÀD �*jO

V*W*`mZ/* hmZZ*Z /* /¾`1a Ê*,*] +*` V1+1VE ÀYY* bS4/ÀZ +d

VSb*]W*` SaV1`ÀE ÑÀY *W*`Zm º4-À`b1] hm-*`*W*` qVS q¶* VSb*]W*`

q4*W*`D

¿YY* +1` VSb*]b* º4-À`YS b\`-*Z ÑÀY mj*ZmhWm Ê*,*]W*` +*`D

�d f*VmyV*bn VSb*+mD �*yaÀ ]Ày-*Y+À` �WW*Ñm-* /\-* VmW-*Z/*B

w�SZ1¶ aº41¶ P f*VmyV*bnxEP /S-ÀZ L)flq 5;B5;MD �WW*ÑmZm¶ �º41 P

+d 4-1 )4Y*W*` VSb*+mD ÁÀY a14E hS`*bb*-m +SbWÀ`Z1 dVm]E ¾abÀ

VSb1`1W-ÀZ a\`*dW*`-* 4-1 )4Y*W*`-* ZS-14WÀZ-ÀZ *hmVE /¾`1a Ê*O

,*]W*` *Wm`am4D

�*VmyV*bn�14 *Zm +1W1`-À b1WSa14Y1H

��"˚ ������˚��˚ ��˝˚��˚� ( � & 6 > 5 5

km11 06-U Ru Vol. 54, No.6

5 �1-\,* ,a1-/* ]`\q,Wq1b b1`]1ZS1 V h1OW\,1h1ab,d L�afD 78B:C �aD 5>:B85P89C 6 �1bD7B=MD �a1YS`Z\1 /1W\ ]`\]\,1/S \ �*`ab,1q,Wq1baq q`VSY ]`SY1`\Y b*V\-\ b1`]1ZSq S

5D �*V �1-\,* ]`\q,Wq1b b1`]1ZS1 V h1W\,1h1Oab,dH

Wp+,SD 'b\ /1W\ Z*h*W\an ]\hbS 6>>> W1bZ*4*/E S /\ aSf ]\` �1-\,* ]`S,W1V*1b V a1+1Wp/1y a SaV`1ZZSY a1`/g1Y L�\*ZD :B88MD �*VYmE ]\/`*3*q �1-\,1E Y\31Y ]`\q,Wqbn b1`O]1ZS1 , aWd31ZSSH

6 �Wd31ZS1 ]\ /\Y*YD �m ]\/`*3*1Y�1-\,1 , b1`]1ZSSE 1aWS ]`\]\,1/d1Y wZ1 ]1O`1ab*,*qx b*YE -/1 Wp/S ]\V* Z1 SZb1`1adOpbaq SabSZ\y L˙1qZD 9B86MD �1`]1ZS1 ]\Y\O-*1b Z*Y ]1`1Z\aSbn +14`*4WShS1E Z*aY1jVSS ]`\bS,\/1yab,S1 L�*`D 57B56E 57MD �*V31 Ym]`\q,Wq1Y b1`]1ZS1E ab`1Yqan 4*ab*bn SZb1O`1adpkSfaq /\Y*E hb\+m ]\WSbn a1Y1Z* SaObSZmD

7 �S+W1yaVS1 S4dh1ZSqD d3Z\ ]`\q,Sbnb1`]1ZS1E hb\+m ,m`*abSbn `*ab1ZS1D �mY\31Y ]\/V*`YWS,*bn 1-\E Z\ Z1 Y\31Y 4*Oab*,Sbn `*abS +mab`11 L�*VD 9B;MD �\/\+Z\`\abd `*ab1ZSqE /df\,Zmy `\ab ]`\Saf\/Sb]\ab1]1ZZ\ S , a,\1 ,`1Yq L�*`D 8B6<MD �\4OY\3Z\E S4dh*pk1Yd b`d/Z\ \bV*4*bnaq \bW\3Zmf `1WS-S\4Zmf ,1`\,*ZSy SWS Z1+S+OW1yaVSf \+mh*1,D 1 aW1/d1b 4*ab*,Wqbn 1-\/1W*bn S4Y1Z1ZSqE ]mb*qan daV\`Sbn `\abDd3Z\ Z*+`*bnaq b1`]1ZSq S ]\/\3/*bn Z1OV\b\`\1 ,`1YqE hb\+m a,qb\y /df ]\,WSqW Z*a1`/g1 S4dh*pk1-\ L5 �\`D 7B:E ;MD

8 �1,1`dpkS1 `\/ab,1ZZSVSD �m -\O`qh\ 31W*1YE hb\+m Z*jS `\/ab,1ZZSVS ]\O4Z*WS SabSZdD � ,a 1 31E Ym b1`]1WS,\ 3/1YEV\-/* \ZS +d/db `*a]\W\31Zm ,maWdj*bnZ*jd ,1abnE S Z1 `*aaV*4m,*1Y SY aWSjV\YYZ\-\ 4* \/SZ `*4 L'VVWD 7B5E ;MD �`S ob\YY\3Z\ a,S/1b1Wnab,\,*bn SY a,\SY ]`SY1O`\Y S +mbn -\b\,mYS ]\/1WSbnaq a,\SYSd+13/1ZSqYS a V`\b\abnp S -Wd+\VSY d,*31OZS1Y L5 �1bD 7B5E 59MD 1a\YZ1ZZ\E ]`\q,Wqqb1`]1ZS1E Ym +d/1Y +\W11 da]1jZm , aWd31OZSS S d-\/SY Z*j1Yd Z1+1aZ\Yd �bgdD

6D �*V Ym ]`\q,Wq1Y b1`]1ZS1E ]`\]\,1/dq Z* Z*OjSf dh*abV*fH7D �\h1Yd Zd3Z\ ]`\q,Wqbn b1`]1ZS1E /1W*q ]\O,b\`Zm1 ]\a1k1ZSq S ]`\,\/q S4dh1ZSq �S+WSSH8D �*V b1`]1ZS1 ]\Y\31b da]1jZ\ a,S/1b1WnOab,\,*bn Z1,1`dpkSY `\/ab,1ZZSV*YH

�,S/1b1Wnab,d1YE ]`\q,Wqqb1`]1ZS1

�˚˙˚�) �� 57 �(�)�1aZq 89 S Y\WSb,*

Q �4dh1ZS1 �S+WSS , a\+`*ZSSbt -WD 65E *+4D <P57E `*YV* Z* aD 5:=L69 YSZM

Q "V\W* b1\V`*bSh1aV\-\ aWd31ZSqb1ZS1 �S+WSSB �a*WYm 7<P88L5> YSZMŠ 5B �a*W\Y 85B5P86B9 L8 YSZ SWSY1Znj1MŠ 6B ˙\ab\yZm1 ]\/`*3*ZSq +S+W1yaVS1]`SY1`m +WS4V\y /`d3+m S ]\W\3Sb1WnOZmf V*h1ab, L9 YSZMŠ 7B �* V\Y Sa]\WZqpbaq a1-\/Zq ]`\O`\h1ab,* \ ,\aab*Z\,W1ZSS �4`*SWqH LrsaD 58<E *+4D 8 P aD 58=E *+4D 7M L9 YSZM

Q �Wd31+Z*q ,ab`1h*�1aZq <;

9 YSZD �+lq,W1ZSqD5> YSZD �1b\/m +W*-\,1ab,\,*ZSqD ˙\OY*jZS1 S4dh1ZSq �S+WSSD �+ad3/1ZS1E\aZ\,*ZZ\1 Z* VZS-1 w�`-*ZS4\,*ZmxEaD =<E *+4D 5 P aD ==E *+4D 5D �\]`\aS aWdOj*b1W1y `*aaV*4*bn \ b\YE V*Vdp `*/\abn\ZS Sa]mb*WSE \+dh*q V\-\Ob\ SabSZ1 S ,SO/q 1-\ /df\,Zmy `\abD �/SZO/,* V\YY1ZOb*`Sq Y\3Z\ ]\/-\b\,Sbn 4*`*Z11D5> YSZD �*V\,* f`SabS*ZaV*q Z\`Y* /Wq+`*V*E `*4,\/* S `*4/1WnZ\-\ 3Sb1Wnab,*H�1hn ab*`1yjSZmE \aZ\,*ZZ*q Z* VZS-1w�`-*ZS4\,*ZmxE aD 5=9E ,\]`\am 5P7D5> YSZD w�,S/1b1Wnab,d1YE ]`\q,Wqq b1`O]1ZS1xD �\]`\am S \b,1bmD�1aZq 5>7 S Y\WSb,*

���������˚

w˙����( ˛˚� (x

Preparing a display for a medical conference

Producing publications

Audio recording of publications

A proofreader prepares text received fromthe Translation Department, which is then

read by a reader. A coach checks intonation,and a proofreader checks for correct pro-nunciation and stress. A sound engineer

produces and edits the recording.

Translators work in teams for video andprinted publications

Sign-language workflow

1. Sign-language translation

2. Video recording

3. Proofreading and editing ofsign-language publications

Service DepartmentThe Service Department supports the preaching activity of Je-

hovah’s Witnesses in Russia and Belarus. It handles corre-

spondence with traveling overseers, congregation elders, and

pioneers. It also compiles records of field service activity, con-

gregation territories, and pioneer assignments. Those serving

here schedule circuit and district assemblies and special assem-

bly days. They also arrange various educational programs that

help Jehovah’s Witnesses to become capable preachers of

God’s Kingdom.

Hospital Information DeskThis desk provides the latest information on bloodless medi-

cal procedures to Hospital Liaison Committees, which number

77 in Russia and 5 in Belarus. In turn, the congregation elders

serving on these committees make this information available to

doctors who are willing to provide high-quality medical care with-

out the use of blood.

Translation DepartmentAbout 80 translators serve in our administrative center.

They help to translate Bible literature into Russian, Tatar,

Ossetian, Chuvash, and other languages. Over the years, this

administrative center has supervised about 150 translators

who have translated material into more than 30 of the

languages spoken in Russia. The Russian sign-language

team works with the video team to

provide videos for the growing sign-

language field. It also prepares ma-

terial for sign-language district con-

ventions.

The magazines and publications

translated under the oversight of our

office are composed using the Multi-

language Electronic Publishing Sys-

tem (MEPS), which was developed by

Jehovah’s Witnesses. This computer

system can process text in over 600

languages. Once material for publica-

tion is translated and composed into

pages, it is sent to one of several

branches for printing.

Audio and VideoThis department makes video recordings for sign-language

publications. It also makes audio recordings for convention

dramas, video sound tracks, and audio editions of the Bible

and Bible-based publications. In addition, it records vocal ren-

ditions of Kingdom songs.

Offices and Departments

Public Information DeskThe Public Information Desk supplies

the news media with accurate infor-

mation on our organization’s activities

and important events. It reports viola-

tions of the constitutional freedoms of

Witnesses through various media chan-

nels, including the Web site Jehovah’s

Witnesses in Russia (www.jw-russia.org). It

also assists congregations of Jehovah’s Wit-

nesses who are affected by local media coverage of their activ-

ities.

Legal DepartmentThe Legal Department provides assistance to congregations

and to the registered legal entities used by communities of Je-

hovah’s Witnesses in Russia. The Legal Department also pro-

vides authorities with accurate information about the activities

of Jehovah’s Witnesses as they exercise their lawful right to en-

joy freedom of worship and to preach the good news of the King-

dom.—Philippians 1:7.

Engineering DepartmentThe Engineering Department designs various facilities for the

use of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia. It works closely with mu-

nicipal authorities to meet the requirements for natural resource

consumption, construction standards, and safety.

Kingdom Hall Construction DeskThe Kingdom Hall Construction Desk supports

the construction of Kingdom Halls, Assembly Halls,

and other necessary projects. It also assists congre-

gations in obtaining property and permits for build-

ing Kingdom Halls.

Computer DepartmentThose who serve in this department install and

maintain computers and network systems. They also train and

support members of the Bethel family in the use of various com-

puter programs.

MaintenanceThe family members serving here

care for Bethel’s electrical and

plumbing systems as well as for

the machines and equipment used

in the offices and residences. Our

vehicles are maintained in a well-

equipped garage.

ShippingEach month literature comes from Germany prepacked ac-

cording to congregation requests. The literature is then shipped

to congregations all across Russia. Our own Bethel trucks deliv-

er literature to the northwestern part of Russia.