Archbishop Makarios of Australia, took part as a keynote speaker at the youth conference organised by the Central Youth “St. Stephen the First Martyr” in Adelaide.
The theme of the conference hosted at the premises of the Parish-Community of Prophet Elijah in Norwood was “Take courage, I have overcome the world”, inspired by John 16:33.
The conference, initiated with an Agiasmos and liturgy by the Archbishop was attended by dozens of young men and women from SA, as well as representatives from Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane.
Open to young people interested in learning more about Orthodoxy and Christianity, it was also the first Youth Conference to be held in South Australia in over ten years.
The participants had the opportunity to discuss issues that concern their generation with each other the the clergy, including Bishop Silouan of Sinope, Bishop Emilianos of Meloa, the Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Saint John, Perth, and Rev. Father Makarios.
The Archbishop’s keynote address, titled “The Cross Remains While the World Changes” was followed with a question-and-answer session, and two interactive workshops held by Fr. Daniel and Presvytera Emilia Bradshaw and Father Jeremiah and Presvytera Joanna Krieg respectively.
Matina Ravelo, Christos and Emilia Stampolidis, Dr. John Salaggaras, Efi Georgiadis, and Mellie Tantalos also participated.
The event ended with a special meal.