“Orthodox Identity in America”: Youth Symposium to Be Held in Atlanta

The youth symposium, titled “Orthodox Identity in America”, will take place from May 30 to June 1, 2025, at St. Mary of Egypt Church in Atlanta, Georgia.

The symposium will continue the discussions from the 14th All-Diaspora Youth Conference in Stuttgart, which focused on “Preserving Orthodox Identity and Heritage Abroad.” This time, participants will concentrate on the life of Orthodox youth in the southern United States, including Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, and Florida.

Who are these young people? What are their traditions? How do they understand each other? Why did they choose the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and become part of it? And how can they, as Orthodox Christians, preserve their identity in America?

The symposium is organized by the St. Vladimir Youth Association and the parish of St. Mary of Egypt in Atlanta. This parish was not chosen by chance. Its parishioners include native-born Americans, Russians, Ukrainians, people from the Middle East, and immigrants from former Soviet republics. It is a vibrant, multicultural community, where up to 100 people gather for Sunday services, and even more on holidays. There are many young people and young families among the parishioners. Communicants receiving the Eucharist from three chalices is a common occurrence here.

The church is served by three hieromonks, two priests, one hierodeacon, and one deacon. A multinational monastic community is also based at the church.

The symposium will traditionally open with a prayer service and a welcome evening.

During the event, two speakers will address the participants: Bishop Iakov of Sonora, the vicar bishop of the Western American Diocese, and Fr. Peter Markevich, a missionary priest and rector of Holy Trinity Church in Mebane, North Carolina. A creative workshop will also be held for participants. On the final day, the youth will participate in a hierarchical Divine Liturgy.

Throughout the symposium, participants will receive three meals a day.

To register for the youth symposium, please complete the registration form here. Please pay the registration fee of $50 by following the PayPal donation link and indicating your name and “Atlanta Symposium 2025” in the payment notes.