When the rusty fall brings us closer to the sky ... This was the feeling after the three days spent with the young people at ROYA (Romanian Orthodox Youth of the Americas).
Between October 6 and 9, the young ROYA met near the monastery the Elevation of the Holy Cross and St. Efrem the New in Mono, Ontario, Canada, at the Coptic Church Center for the Annual Congress of the organization.
More than sixty young people from United States and Canada enjoyed the presence and learning words of exceptional speakers who either in person or virtually have given many tips, words full of wisdom and moments full of inner peace. To all these jewels of the soul were added the beauty of the places, unmatched colors of the Canadian fall and the peace of a beautiful place.
Glad to have their hierarchs, Metropolitan Nicolae and Bishop Ioan Casian, the young Orthodox of North America they had present Fr. Petru Neaga who spiritually coordinates the organization as well as Fr. Maxym Lysack with the conference entitled How to Maintain The Orthodox Faith in Today's Secular World. Virtually, Bishop Siluan of Hungary on the topic The Growth of Man in Years and in Faith as well as the archdeacon Adrian Sorin Mihalache on the topic Two People Ascended to Pray. Archdeacon Mihalache was the guest of St. Nicholas and St. Elijah's Parish in Port Kells, Surrey B.C., Canada.
The young people had the opportunity to meet Mrs. Oana Raluca Gherghe - Consul General and Mr. Florentin Titov Gherghe - Consul from the Consulate of Romania in Toronto.
In all three days the youth, the smiles and the joy of being together were overwhelming. The young people on the ROYA Board - Claudiu Dima, Diana Vancea, Valentin Cioană and Spiridon Amohnoaie - made beautiful presentations of the activities carried out in both the United States and Canada by the young people in the organization.
Group discussions related to future as well as concern for the future of the organization have caused time to fly, friends to renew and the days to be spent together with spiritual fruits. This year from the desire to bring them close and to make known the importance of the mission of the Orthodox young people in America, those who are about to join the organization were invited. It was a bridge between generations because those who will become part of the organization in the years that come to know the importance and role of ROYA and to be able to successfully take over the role.
On Sunday, October 8, the hierarchical Divine Liturgy was officiated by Metropolitan Nicolae and Bishop Ioan Casian, with Fr. Viorel Ţencaliuc - dean, Fr. Petru Neaga, Hieromonk Polycarp Athenagoras the hegumen of the Mono Monastery.
In the sermon addressed to young people Metropolitan Nicolae said: “Christ showed us a path. We enter the door of the Church at Baptism, become Christians, and advance to the altar to share into the Body and Blood of the Savior to have sins forgiven and forever life. So, we are not looking for eternity theoretically. Eternity is offered here through the word of the Gospel, by meeting with Christ, through the Church and especially by taking part in Body and Blood of Christ we already taste eternity.
You have to leave the Church after the Divine Liturgy with the understanding and living that you carry Christ into the world, that you carry eternity to the world. We offer Christ to people by our word, by our behavior, by the boldness of confessing that we are Christians.
Through your confession, you young people, you have the power to change your colleagues next to you, you can bring a wandering to Christ. You can confess the faith to change those around you."
The young people were pleased to be together in prayer and communion around Christ, guided by Fr. Polycarp, the hegumen of the monastery, who at his turn was a ROYA member, and then to see the works from the monastic settlement, the pavilion (summer altar) and find out about the construction plans for this corner of Romania on the land of Canada. All these are designed and raised for those who want to seek Christ. They will be able to find here a space of peace, spiritual comfort, soul rest so necessary for the contemporary man.
Because in the weekend that ended Canada celebrates Thanksgiving Day, Sunday was dedicated to friendship - Friendsgiving. With much imagination the young ones transformed the fruits of the earth - apples and pumpkins - into decorations for the mass of friendship from which, the turkey, the symbol of this holiday in North America, was not missing.
At this moment, Metropolitan Nicolae have congratulated the young organizers, offered diplomas and gifts and urged the participants to continue the beautiful work of confession between the young people in their parishes but also between friends.
His Grace Ioan Casian, the Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada, thanked the Metropolitan for his care and visit and congratulated the ROYA Board for the efforts to organize this event.
In a weekend dedicated to the thanks for the fruits of the earth, we also thank St. Ekaterina, the guardian ROYA, for an event from which we hope that the young people will enrich their souls.
Beauty and youth in Orthodoxy!
Notes by,
Carmen Ognean
