His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia delivered an address on the occasion of Orthodox Youth Day, which is celebrated on February 15, the feast day of the Presentation of the Lord, throughout the canonical territory of the Moscow Patriarchate.
The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church called on young men and women to adhere to moral guidelines and never weaken in their spiritual growth. The Patriarch wished the youth good health and spiritual vigor, peace and joy in the Lord, and God’s blessing.
The text of the address is as follows:
Patriarchal address
on the occasion of the celebration of Orthodox Youth Day
Dear brothers and sisters!
I cordially congratulate you all on the great twelfth feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the Day of Orthodox Youth.
Now we give praise to the Lord and Creator of the law, Who, fulfilling the order of the law was brought by the Blessed Virgin to the Jerusalem temple for consecration to God, was met by the righteous Simeon and Anna the Prophetess.
The memory of this event is undoubtedly significant for the entire Church. The topic of meeting with Christ is of particular relevance for young people, because it is at a young age, when a person has not yet gained life experience, that he is most susceptible to external influence (not always good and useful) and sometimes does not have moral guidelines.
Surely everyone remembers an important moment in their lives, when the Lord first touched their heart, when the joy that we are loved by Him begins to guide all our actions, when we want to go to church more often and participate in the Sacraments of the Church, when the desire to constantly communicate with God moves us to prayer and reading of the Holy Scriptures. Our duty is to never weaken in this diligence and spiritual growth.
A pure and pious life requires mental and physical efforts: in a certain sense, this is a feat, and any feat is easier to accomplish together. Today in our Church there are many youth associations where young men and women pray together at divine services and participate in the Sacraments, take part in interesting projects, engage in charitable activities and social service, communicate and help each other.
Wishing everyone good health and spiritual vigor, peace and joy in the Lord, I invoke His blessing upon you.
+KIRILL, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia
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