“Not of this World” – Our 12Th Annual Youth Conference
With God’s benevolence and with the blessing of Archbishop Andronik of the North American diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad – on May 23-26, the youth organizing committee successfully conducted the 12th annual Orthodox Youth Conference at the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia church in the Mountain View Religious and Cultural Center — http://www.mvroc.org/.
The theme of the conference this year was: Not of this world. “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” John 17:14.
The conference was well attended with over 50 youth participants and organizers. The program was centered around the celebration of the liturgy on Sunday May 25th – 6th Sunday of Pascha: The Blind Man, by Archbishop Andronik and attending clergy. Both the all night vigil and the liturgy were accompanied by the exclusively youth choir and youth readers.
The program was rich in both content and games. The lecturers included: Protopriest Nikita Grigoriev, Priest Lazarus Gahles, Abess Ephrosiniya (Molchanova), Nun Ekaterina (Allen from Serbia), Catherine Lukin, Alexander Kovmir, and Nicholas Budzilovich. The round table included all of the clergy including Protopriest Dmitri Dobronravov and the monastics, who answered questions submitted by the participants and invited them to comment and expand on these answers.
The theme of the conference was explored with lectures and discussion topics of: The World, the flesh, and the Devil by Father Lazarus, A Day in the Life of a Monastic by Nun Ekaterina, A Deep Analysis of the Nicene Creed by Father Nikita, Learning How to Deal with Temptation by Abess Ephrosiniya, The 100 Years Repose of Patriarch Tikhon by Abess Ephrosiniya, and Gospel of Saint John 14:27 by Father Lazarus. With many additional ad-hoc conversations and deep discussions during meals, breaks and free time.
The youth attendees were divided into teams and competed throughout the conference for points which were awarded for: producing a thematic video (conference theme), games (point scores), and their performances at the talent show. The conference was marked by an especially collegial and friendly atmosphere – with all of the participants voicing the same emotion at the close:
“It was too short – we wish we could stay all week!”
We continue the spirit of the conference with monthly online discussion forums chaired by father Lazarus Gahles and hosted by Peter Budzilovich (pbudzilovich1@gmail.com). Hegumen Ignatiy and Priest Thomas Frazer are also frequent participants.
Please reach out to Peter Budzilovich to receive the invitation to the online video forums – they are held every 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7pm EST. The forum is open to all – with rotating monthly topics, often suggested by the participants. Please join these online forums to continue to feed and nurture your Orthodox spirit. It is also a great opportunity to stay in touch with conference participants.
We pray that all of our participants stay strong in the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church and in their faith. God willing we will see you all again next year.
To God’s Glory Amen.
