On November 19, young people from ROYA (Romanian Orthodox Youth of the Americas) had the opportunity to meet at The Protection of the Mother of God Romanian Orthodox Monastery in Allegan, MI. Those from Canada met at Holy Cross and St. Ephraim the New Monastery in Mono, ON. The guest was V. Rev. Protosyngellos Hrisostom Ciuciu, from the Putna Monastery, together with His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae and His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian. The young people of ROYA spent days full of peace and wisdom, to which was added a natural setting and a tranquility that is hard to find nowadays.
The ROYA Congress was held on Saturday when the young people had the joy of being in direct and open discussion with Fr. Hrisostom, HE Nicolae and, in a zoom, with HG Ioan Casian and the ROYA members from Canada. The first part of the conference focused on the identity of young Romanian-Americans. It is no secret that many young Romanians in the United States participate in ROYA events to experience a connection with their mother country. Many young people, whose families have been here for several generations, no longer have a very close connection with the Orthodox Church and Romania and are looking for their identity.
In the second part of the Congress, ROYA board members presented annual reports, which discussed ways to improve ROYA activities, more visible presence in parishes, and encourage young people to participate in various ROYA activities. A free discussion ensued, with young people being encouraged to ask the guests various questions.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Sunday morning, with ROYA members of all ages sharing moments of prayer and reflection on the Feast of the Entrance of the Mother of God into the Temple (Vovidenia) and the Sunday Gospel of the rich man whose land bore fruit (Luke 10: 38-42) under the guidance of HE Metropolitan Nicolae. In the afternoon, the young people enjoyed the natural setting of The Protection of the Mother of God Monastery, having a football match together with the volunteers and their children.
On the last night of the Congress, the young people from Allegan made an analysis of the film Tenet, discussing with Fr. Hrisostom about its message and how it can be translated and applied in Orthodox life. Attention has been drawn to the idea of the “temporal pincer movement” and to the fact that in our Christian life we know that we have a past and a future. Even the future we know from the Church’s teaching and tradition. All that remains is the present, that is, the present moment, which we should live at its fullest with the thought of gratitude to God, according to the words of St. John Chrysostom.
The ROYA Board would like to thank all those involved in organizing and participating in the Congress and, of course, our guests: HE Metropolitan Nicolae and HG Bishop Ioan Casian who agreed to spend valuable time with us, answering questions from young people and offering advice; V. Rev. Protosyngellos Hrisostom, who spent hours with us and made us feel loved, like a father’s children. We thank all the volunteers who worked hard at Allegan and Mono, providing meals and accommodation for a total of 45 young people.
Glory to God for all things!
Matei Tucă,
ROYA Representative,
Saint Mary Romanian Orthodox Mission, Cedar Park, TX
