Welcome Message at the Second Orthodox Youth Conference

It is with great joy that we welcome the 2nd Conference on Orthodox Youth, under the theme “Members of the Church – Citizens of the World”, which is organized by the Ecumenical Throne, from July 11 to 16 2007, here in this ancient and historic City, which will be the Cultural Capital of Europe in the year 2010 and where Christianity has been vibrant for two thousand years and has survived in spite of all difficulties, challenges and divisions. This Conference should also be considered as a pilgrimage to this City where the Apostle Andrew preached the Holy Gospel, where he performed many miracles, and where thousands of martyrs and confessors witnessed to their faith.

Indeed it is a joy and at the same time a blessing that we are able to respond to the recommendation of the Orthodox Youth Conference of 2000, in which our young participants proposed with much hope that such Youth Conferences be organized at more frequent intervals. Our fervent desire to bring together hundreds of young people from all over the world also manifests our deep conviction, willingness and commitment to strengthen our paternal and spiritual relations with our Orthodox youth. It is this youth who are the hope and future of our Church, in a time when Church and World are in a permanent dialogue of being and acting together under the grace of God and the guidance of His Holy Spirit.

Invited to attend the Conference are young people from around the world, from Holy Metropolitanates, monastic brotherhoods and sisterhoods, youth movements of the Ecumenical Throne, as well as from all of the Orthodox Churches, theological faculties, academies and seminaries, various Christian Churches, confessional families and cultural and institutional youth organizations.

The Conference will refer to and discuss the challenges and problems to which young people as members of the Church and citizens of the world are exposed today. Moreover, there will be various presentations regarding the youth and their Orthodox witness in a pluralistic society, their relation and responsibility to the world and to society in particular, their being and coexisting with people of other faiths in Diaspora, environmental issues of today, issues of social justice and human rights in relation to the secularization and globalization, Orthodox spirituality and models of holiness, war and peace as factors for the future of the ecumenical movement and the dialogue with other Christian youth today.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate, with honor and dignity, carries on its shoulders its responsibility of the people of God. We respond to the challenges of our times and the calls of the many in need, to the cries of those suffering from famine, all dangers and injustice. Moreover, we work against any kind of violence and advocate the peaceful coexistence of all religious communities here in our country and all over the world. Having lived in a predominantly Muslim environment for centuries, our Holy Church has always promoted dialogue among peoples and youth in particular. We have encouraged them to live together in peace, harmony and reconciled diversity, independently of their race, religion and culture.

Wishing wholeheartedly that our young people will have a pleasant and fulfilling experience here, we very warmly hope for the success and accomplishment of all the noble goals of this Conference. We pray fervently that the Triune God will continue to guide us in all we do for the glory of His Holy name.

Phanar, July 2007

+ BARTHOLOMEW
Archbishop of Constantinople,
New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch