National Board of the Young Men's Christian Associations. World Service.

YMCA work in Russia began in 1899, when Clarence J. Hicks succeeded in winning the approval of a high Romanoff for a young men's society in St. Petersburg and secured his personal protection for the organization. Called a "mayak," or lighthouse, it was essentially a YMCA. Religious activities in the Russian Y were directed by Orthodox priests. The program grew from modest classes in French, German, and bookkeeping through gymnasium work to popular lectures. A library and a drama program were also added. In 1908 an American director for physical education activities was secured and what was said to be the best-equipped gymnaisum in Russia was built in the courtyard of the Mayak. Plans were laid for the expansion of the organization into Moscow, but war and revolution prevented this. In 1917, a society was founded in Vladivostok., However, the rise of the Bolshevik regime disrupted the growth of YMCA work, forcing American YMCA secretaries to leave and many of the Russian personnel into temporary hiding or prison. YMCA work continued as war relief work, mainly in Siberia, as well as among the Russians of the dispersion in Harbin and in Paris.