The Three-day Youth Conference of the Holy Diocese of Chora was a great success

The three-day Youth Conference of the Holy Diocese of Chora was successfully held in Victoria,
from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 August 2024. More than 300 young men and women participated in the Conference.

On the first day, at the Holy Monastery of Our Lady “Axion Esti”, in Northcote, Melbourne, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia was present and also delivered the keynote address.

Also present were, Their Graces, Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne, Bishop Evmenios of Chora, as well as the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Mr. Emmanuel Kakavelakis, and the Federal Member of Parliament, Ms. Maria Vamvakinou MP, who represented the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. Anthony Albanese. .

After the welcome greetings, a presentation of various activities and initiatives of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, as well as the programs it implements and participates in, took place.

At the end, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia had the opportunity to greet the young men and women one by one and offer them a gift as a blessing.

On the second day, the Youth Conference proceedings were hosted at the premises of St John’s College in the suburb of Preston. The young audience listened the speeches of the three invited speakers: Archimandrite Makarios Souris, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Saint John in Perth, Mr. Billy Kavelaris, Lead Architect in the project of the Greek Cultural Centre of Chora and director of KUD Architects, and Ms. Mary Gakopoulos, CEO of the “Agapi Care” Foundation.

After the speeches, the youth participated in varied workshops for making Koliva, Komboskini – Prayer ropes, chanting, Iconography and sports.

On Saturday evening a formal Dinner and Dance was held for the youth in the hall of the Parish of the Transfiguration of Our Lord in Thomastown.

The third and last day of the Conference, Sunday, 18 August, began with the Divine Liturgy where His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora presided, and was accompanied by Archimandrite Makarios Souris from Perth and clergy of the Holy Diocese of Chora.

During the Divine Liturgy, instead of the usual sermon, His Grace delivered a speech addressed exclusively to the youth.

After the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, a Festival was organised in the premises of the Holy Monastery of Our Lady “Axion Esti”, which was a great success, attracting more than 5,000 people, not only Greeks but also other residents of the area.

All the young men and women present participated in a raffle to win a prize of a trip to Greece. The draw was held at the end of the Festival and the winner was Ms. Aristea Havelas