Archbishop Makarios: “We must plan for the youth, with the youth”

Archbishop of Australia Makarios has reaffirmed the need to look to the younger generations and ensure we plan together with them so they can carry on our legacy.

Archbishop Makarios delivered a message in honour of the United Nations’ International Youth Day, which is held every year on 12 August, recognising the importance of thinking about our youth and involving them in our activities.

He expressed that we must always look to engage the youth, noting in particular that they are the ones who will invariably continue the work of the Greek Orthodox Church and, specifically, the Holy Archdiocese of Australia.

“This is even more relevant during the current period of transition from the first to the second centenary of our local Church, as we know that the unwritten chapters of our new era will be filled by our members who are currently in their youth,” Archbishop Makarios said in his message

“For this reason, we continually intensify our efforts to bring our young people closer to the Church, but primarily to approach them ourselves—the clergy, the Bishops, and myself—to give them a voice and to listen to their thoughts, concerns, and reflections.”

He elaborated on the imperativeness of giving younger people a voice and, crucially, listening to them, saying “our Church insists on planning for the youth, together with the youth”.

Archbishop Makarios pointed to the Youth Conferences they are holding in honour of their 200th anniversary year of the Hold Archdiocese as an example of giving youth a platform to convey their thoughts and notions.

“It is truly a blessing to witness young people, full of vitality, zeal, and enthusiasm, coming together to share ideas and concerns, present and discuss proposals, and chart pathways for the world they envision, guided by the spiritual compass of God’s Word,” he said.

He closed by stressing the importance of parents providing children with a good upbringing and important guidance, declaring that young people “must and can create a future better than the one we are handing over to them”.