Under the theme “We are ready for the future”, the Holy Diocese of Brisbane kicked off its signature Youth Conference this weekend.
Held at the premises of the Dormition Parish in Mt Gravatt, Brisbane, the two-day conference welcomed more than 250 attendees aged 15 to 30 years who engaged in a series of open discussions around what it means to be a young Greek Orthodox Christian today.
“We cannot be invisible disciples,” Archbishop Makarios said delivering the keynote speech, inviting the youth to connect with their local Church and get involved in acts of sharing the values and messages of their Orthodox faith with the wider Australian society.
“Being a Christian is much more than simply attending church on Sunday mornings. Christians must be torchbearers in a dark world. Our goal is to inspire others and draw them to the source of life.”
Archbishop Makarios laid out the vision for the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, now on the threshold of its second century, saying there is “no place for introversion or isolationism.”
Attendees had the chance to connect with fellow Orthodox youth and draw inspiration from the speeches of their spiritual leaders, including Bishops Bartholomew of Brisbane and Silouan of Adelaide.
Conference proceedings began on Saturday 7 December morning with the opening ceremony, where Archbishop Makarios outlined the history of the local Church and its pioneering Greek migrants who worked to preserve their faith and traditions in their new homeland.
He also made special reference to the recent visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Australia, during which he promulgated the new Constitution of the Holy Archdiocese.
The opening ceremony was also attended by the Honorary Consul of Greece in Brisbane, George Mastrokostas, who announced the annual granting of a scholarship for young people from Queensland who wish to study at the Theological School of Apostle Andrew in Sydney.
