2024 Family & Youth Conference Photos

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Created on Saturday, 26 October 2024 14:25

Click here for a photo gallery from our Family and Youth Conference!

The 2024 Family and Youth Conference was held at the Cathedral of St. Markella in Astoria, New York, and focused on the history of the Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians of Greece. It brought together young minds and hearts to explore the past of our martyric Church. The photos and videos from the event capture the vibrancy, devotion, and sense of community that defined the conference, which was held in a spirit of reverence and learning. Attendees, ranging from children and teenagers to young adults, engaged in thoughtful discussions, workshops, and presentations that delved into the history, theology, and unique characteristics of the Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece. These images highlight moments of prayer, reflection, and fellowship, as well as the shared enthusiasm for preserving and understanding the traditions of the Church.

The conference featured lectures by respected clergy and historians, providing a deep dive into significant events such as the early church councils of Orthodox Christianity, the demons' assaults against the Church in the form of spiritual deception and schism, and the deeds and teachings of recent Zealot Fathers and Confessors who struggled for the exact preservation of the Holy Traditions.

Of particular emphasis was our Church's continuity with the spirit of the Eastern Patriarchs, who wrote the great encyclical of 1848, as well as with the spirit of the Kollyvades Fathers, who struggled against spiritual deception in their age. Of special emphasis, also, was our Church's connection to the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, whose spiritual luminaries assisted, supported, and recognized the restoration of our episcopate in the 1960s.

The photos also depict the informal moments, where participants shared meals, engaged in spiritual conversations, and formed lasting bonds over their shared faith and interest in Orthodox history. One can see in these images the excitement of youth as they connect with their heritage and seek to understand how the historical foundations of the Church influence their faith today. The sense of unity and purpose, coupled with the joy of learning, is evident throughout the captured moments, from the solemnity of liturgical services to the joy of communal activities. These photos serve as a testament to the ongoing commitment of the younger generation to preserving and living the teachings of the Genuine Orthodox Church in the modern world.