Over three hundred young men and women, representing the vibrant heart of Orthodoxy in the Holy Diocese of Chora, Victoria, gathered at the Holy Monastery of the Virgin Mary “Axion Esti” in Northcote, Melbourne. They participated in a three-day Youth Conference, held from August 16-18, under the theme: “We Are Ready for the Future.”
The Conference opened on Friday, August 16, with a ceremony led by Archbishop Makarios of Australia. The event was attended by Bishops Kyriakos of Melbourne and Evmenios of Chora, along with numerous clergy from the two Dioceses of Victoria.
The Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis, and Greek-Australian Federal MP Maria Vamvakinou, representing Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, were also in attendance. Both offered warm greetings to the participants.
Given that this year’s Youth Conference coincides with the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Orthodox Church in Australia, Archbishop Makarios dedicated his keynote speech to addressing the challenges that lie ahead for the Christian community on the fifth continent as they embark on the new centennial.
“The mission of the Church through the centuries has always been to spread the eternal truth, which is Christ,” the Archbishop emphasized during his address. He urged the young people to walk in a spirit of unity within the body of the Church, invoking the words of Saint John Chrysostom: “The Church is not a wall and a roof, but faith and a way of life.”
Additionally, the Archbishop offered paternal advice to the young men and women, encouraging them in their journey of spiritual growth. He urged them to exchange futile secular concerns and habits for enriching spiritual activities, such as reading the lives of the Saints of our Church, with particular emphasis on those who were recently canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
“Read about these people,” he pointed out, “and discover what made them exceptional. How did they endure the pressures of this world? How did they think and respond? What guidance did they offer to those facing problems similar to ours who sought their counsel? We are fortunate to live in an age where we have unprecedented access to information. We can delve into even the smallest details about these modern saints. We can observe their spirit, get to know their unique personalities, and see how they transformed their lives into a living testimony of Christ.”
In conclusion, the Archbishop encouraged the young people to draw inspiration from the Saints and advised them to utilize the material world and modern resources wisely, while avoiding excess and misuse. “Use them for the glory of God and for our salvation,” he stressed.
