4th Youth Congress launched in Rivne diocese

The 4th Congress of the Orthodox Youth started in the Dubno deanery of the Rivne diocese. The congress brought together more than 70 participants, reports the website of the diocese. 

This year, the young people gathered in the camp at the base of the monastery of Holy Righteous Anna in Onishkovtsy village to have fun as well as to spend time in a meaningful way with like-minded peers. 

After the common prayer in the church of Archangel Gabriel in Dubno the participants of the Congress were addressed by the Dean of the 1st Dubno District archpriest Anatoly Bogdanov. "It is remarkable that for the fourth time the Congress has gathered a lot of young people of our region. All of you are united by a sincere faith. For decades, we were taught that the Orthodox churches are attended only by the old and infirm people; when they pass away, religion also dies. But in the early nineties all were surprised to see a new, young face of the Church. We saw: in spite of the strong efforts to eradicate the belief in our people, Holy Orthodoxy remains a powerful creative force, attracting young hearts to the Truth," said Fr Anatoly. 

"Today, when persistent attempts are made to revise traditional moral principles, when the ideals of marriage and family, charity and love for others are put into question, , we are called to bear witness in word and deed of the everlasting Gospel values," he stressed. 

The next four days the young people are going to hold together. The organizers hope that a strict schedule together with a prayer, informative conversations, fun contests and interesting games, talks with experienced mentors and pastors – all this will be well remembered by the participants of the Congress, leaving only the most pleasant experience, and serve as an incentive for the next meeting.

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