Youth Worldwide to Celebrate the World Day of Orthodox Youth
The Feast of the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple in the Orthodox Church, celebrated on February 2nd (15th old style) is also known as the World Day of Orthodox Youth. First celebrated in 1993 after being established by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the celebration is a day to highlight the important contribution made by youth and young adults in the Church.
Suprasl, A World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth is promoting the celebration through the publication of a special website, suprasl.org/worldday where youth can learn more about the World Day of Orthodox Youth.
The Feast of the Meeting of the Lord is one of the instances in the Holy Tradition of the Church which brings forth youth and childhood as an image and vessel of God’s presence and of His renewing Grace. Christ the new-born baby fulfills the purpose of the Law and the proclamation of the prophets. Saint Simeon and Saint Anna show us the way in which we can receive Him. God’s Kingdom is near, it comes to us in the Divine-human person of Christ, who renews and rejuvenates our life every day. This is what Orthodox Youth Ministry is always called to be: an invitation to meet the Lord and be changed by this Meeting so that we may, in turn, fulfill the commandment of our Lord to, “Go and Bear Fruit” (John 15:16).
“It is our hope that Orthodox youth around the world will take the opportunity of this annual celebration to highlight their ministry in the Church, and to take their place within the life of our Church,” said Archdeacon Joseph Matusiak, Director of Suprasl.
Founded in 2022, Suprasl aims to connect Orthodox youth around the world through various events at the Monastery of the Annunciation and Lay Academy in Suprasl, Poland, including the annual World Gathering of Orthodox Youth which has gathered hundreds of youth from all Churches throughout the world.
“The World Day of Orthodox Youth is a special day for us young people in the Church because it reminds each of us that we are not simply the “future” of the Church, but that each one of us are full and active members of the Orthodox Church,” said Elijah Ssemwogerere, a member of the Orthodox Christian Youth Network in Uganda that works with Suprasl.
Youth are invited to share videos or photos of their celebrations by tagging social media posts using #wdoy2024.