In an unusual twist, trainee priests at a remote Russian seminary in Perm are embracing darts as part of their religious training. Far from a typical 501 game, they’re competing in ‘Sector 20’ with great enthusiasm, seeing the sport as a way to find balance between spiritual life and everyday activities.
The Unlikely Intersection of Faith and Darts
Images have emerged from a remote seminary in the Russian city of Perm, showcasing a fascinating and unexpected development: trainee priests participating in an organized darts tournament. This isn’t just a casual pastime; it’s an activity woven into their broader religious training, highlighting a unique approach to seminary life.
Darts in the Seminary: A Unique Approach to Training
While not a traditional 501 SIDO contest, the priests engage in a game known as ‘Sector 20′ with remarkable enthusiasm. They are actively encouraged to pursue such activities, provided they maintain a balance between their competitive spirit—their attempts to hit the coveted ’60’ segment—and the profound spiritual life that guides them. This pursuit of balance, often termed ‘better judgment’, is a core principle.
First-year student clerics of the Orthodox tradition frequently participate in games like darts. The Perm Theological Seminary proudly shared reports of these games, seeing them as a valuable tool for students to achieve equilibrium in their demanding lives. Although individual winners’ names were not disclosed, the spirit of participation and camaraderie was clearly paramount.
What is ‘Sector 20’? Understanding the Game
For those unfamiliar, ‘Sector 20’ is a popular darts game, particularly in CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries. Its rules are straightforward:
- Objective: Players aim to score points exclusively within the ’20’ segment of the dartboard.
- Scoring: Any dart landing in the single, double, or treble areas of the ’20’ segment counts towards their score.
- Gameplay: Scores are accumulated over a pre-agreed number of ‘visits’ (rounds of three darts). The player with the highest total score after these visits wins.
This game emphasizes precision and focus on a single target, differing significantly from common games like ‘501’ which require strategic counting down.
Finding Balance: The Philosophy Behind the Oche
The integration of darts into seminary life might seem unusual, but it reflects a deeper philosophy. For these future priests, engaging in a physical and mentally engaging activity like darts offers a crucial outlet. It helps them to:
- De-stress and relax from the rigors of theological study.
- Develop focus and discipline, qualities valuable in both sport and spiritual practice.
- Foster community and camaraderie among their peers.
- Practice ‘better judgment’ by balancing competitive drive with spiritual mindfulness.
This unique approach underscores the idea that spiritual development doesn’t occur in isolation but can be complemented by wholesome, engaging activities.
A Global Phenomenon: Darts Continues to Grow
While the visual of priests playing darts might seem surprising, the story itself is entirely genuine. It serves as another testament to darts’ ever-growing global appeal, reaching even the most unexpected corners of the world and finding its place within diverse communities and traditions.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
