Archbishop Makarios delivered a message in honour of International Youth Day, praising young people as the future and stressing the importance of listening and tending to their concerns.
The Archbishop spoke fondly about young people, expressing his pleasure for those that are able to maintain the “flame of purity, innocence and hope” particularly during the hard times and distractions they face.
“Today is dedicated to the “flower” of our society – our young men and women….to those souls who, even more than we older ones, envision a world without injustice, exploitation, and violence; a world of peace,” he said in his message.
“Indeed, youth is a blessed period of our earthly life.”
He went on to express the significance of Christ in guiding people to resist individualism and self-interest.
“Christ is the answer to every question connected with what is good, peaceful, and hopeful. When one walks alongside Christ, one journeys on a bright path, even if everything around has sunk into darkness,” Archbishop Makarios said.
“When one walks alongside Christ, one is not distracted by the fleeting and vain things of this world. And above all, when one walks alongside Christ, one strives to share with others the light that has flooded one’s soul without losing hope, without bowing before difficulties, without giving up or compromising.”
His message concluded with the following:
“Our duty is to stand beside them with love and understanding and to guide them towards Christ; not by controlling them, but by inspiring them; not by pressuring them, but by reflecting the light of our faith through our good works,”
“Our Holy Archdiocese, unwaveringly committed to this sacred mission, will never cease listening to the concerns of our youth, to trust them, to support them, and to encourage them to fight with courage for the fulfilment of their noble visions.
May our young people become beacons of light in a world besieged by darkness, and may their lives bear witness that ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’!”
