Youth of UOC Volyn Diocese took part in the international conference in France

An annual conference "The Courage of mercy" is 39th meeting of Christian youth, reports the website of the diocese.

The conference in France hosted seven thousand young Christians. Gatherings of the European youth have been regularly organized by the town community of Taizé, the French province of Burgundy. Coming to Taizé is to be invited to search for communion with God through community prayer, song, silence, personal reflection and sharing.

A stay in Taizé can help one step back from daily life, to meet a wide variety of people and consider one’s commitment in the Church and in society. The participants spoke about compassion, love of neighbour, the need to unite Christian youth in the service of Christ at the international conference.

During the international conference in Burgundy clergymen from Ukraine, Belarus, Serbia could serve their Liturgy at a Catholic church. The service was attended not only by the Orthodox, but by many Catholics, who thanked the fathers for the solemn liturgy and beautiful singing organized here by the pilgrims’ choir. They were amazed at how many people came to Confession and the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

According to the chairman of the youth department of the Volyn diocese of the UOC hieromonk Elijah, such international meetings are interesting because they help young people from different countries who believe in one God to co-ordinate their efforts in missionary activities, enrich their experience, get new useful contacts and strengthen confidence in how important it is to preach Christ's teaching.

Recall, a similar Christian international meeting of European youth with the participation of the UOC faithful was held last year in the city of Valencia in Spain and hosted more than two thousand young believers.

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