On the occasion of International Youth Day, Archbishop Makarios of Australia issued a message highlighting the importance of recognizing young people not merely as the hope of tomorrow, but as active and creative participants in the life of the Church and society today.
The Archbishop noted that youth has rightly been described as one of the most creative periods of human life. However, he stressed that the energy and potential of young people should not be regarded solely as a promise for the future, but as “a precious gift that can bear fruit from today.”
Archbishop Makarios emphasized that the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia has sought to demonstrate in practical ways its commitment to giving young people an active role in the present life of the Church, the Greek Australian community and wider Australian society.
He referred to the Archdiocese’s pastoral initiatives, including Sunday Schools, schools, youth fellowships, parish activities and the Youth Conferences now regularly organized in each Diocese.
Through these initiatives, he explained, the Church seeks above all to help young people cultivate a living relationship with Christ and develop the gifts bestowed upon them by God.
“At the same time, we listen to their thoughts, ideas, hopes and concerns, and seek to give them the space they need to spread their wings with courage and the belief that they can fly,” the Archbishop said.
According to Archbishop Makarios, International Youth Day serves as a reminder of the responsibility shared by the entire community to listen to young people rather than seek to impose its own voice upon them.
He called on the faithful to guide young people toward virtue without depriving them of their God-given freedom and to support, encourage and inspire them primarily through personal example.
“Let us, then, entrust to our young people not only the future but also the present,” Archbishop Makarios urged.
He added that adults should stand beside the younger generation “not as stern judges, but as humble fellow travellers, with patience and love,” while providing opportunities for young people to turn their visions into reality, assume responsibilities and use their talents for the common good.
Concluding his message, Archbishop Makarios offered his prayers for young people throughout Australia and beyond.
“May our Lord enlighten the steps of our young people, bless their endeavours and grant them the strength to build a world better than the one we are handing on to them,” he said.
Read the full message:
Not without reason has youth been described as the most creative period of a person’s earthly life. Yet we often forget that the energy and potential of youth are not simply a promise for tomorrow, but a precious gift that can bear fruit from today.
Our Holy Archdiocese has demonstrated in practical ways that we regard our young people not only as bearers of hope for the future, but also as active participants in the present life of the Church, of our Greek Australian community, and of our society at large. Through our pastoral care for young people – through our Sunday Schools, Schools, youth fellowships and other parish initiatives, as well as the regular Youth Conferences now established in each of our Dioceses – we are working above all to nurture a living relationship with Christ and to help them develop the gifts that God has bestowed upon them. At the same time, we listen to their thoughts, ideas, hopes and concerns, and seek to give them the space they need to spread their wings with courage and the belief that they can fly.
Today, International Youth Day, reminds us precisely of this responsibility that we all share: to listen to the voice of our young people, without seeking to impose our own. To guide them along the path of virtue, without depriving them of the God-given gift of freedom. To support and encourage them, and to seek to inspire them through our own example.
Let us, then, entrust to our young people not only the future but also the present. Let us stand beside them, not as stern judges, but as humble fellow travellers, with patience and love. Let us give them opportunities to bring their visions to life, to take on responsibility and to offer their gifts for the common good.
May our Lord enlighten the steps of our young people, bless their endeavours and grant them the strength to build a world better than the one we are handing on to them.
