Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Youth Association 2018 at Mor Aphrem Center

31 Dec

H.E. Mor Dionysios John Kawak and the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese hosted this year’s Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Youth Associations (SCOOYA).  The conference, the theme of which was “Stranger in a Strange Land: Young and Orthodox in America”, tackled timely issues relevant to the lives of our Oriental Orthodox Youth.  The featured speakers were the V. Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian of the Armenian Diocese – famous for his “Choices” series of web videos – and Rev. Fr. Shiryl Mathai of the Malankara Syriac Archdiocese, a dynamic young priest with a gift for connecting with the youth.  The conference began and ended with traditional Orthodox worship – in English – in the Syriac Rite, and, since it took place on the Feast Day of St. Gabriel on the Ethiopian/Eritrean Calendar – featured songs in praise of the Archangel in the Eritrean tradition.  The Conference provided ample opportunity for fellowship among the youth, and closed with a panel discussion featuring H.E. Mor Dionysios, H.G. Anba David, Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of NY&NE, and the V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Primate and Bishop-Elect of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church.  Approximately 200 youth from every Oriental Orthodox jurisdiction, along with their clergy and servants, attended the conference.