Youth Outreach
With the emergence of a free state in the early 90's, many
young adults in Albania embraced their new-found freedoms -- freedom of
speech, freedom of choice,
freedom of religion -- with enthusiasm, energy, and great hope for the
future.
|
For once were darkness but now in Lord you are light. Live as son of light. |
|
|
|
From the first moment that Archbishop Anastasios became head of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, he emphasized the important and valuable role of the youth as the future of the church and an integral part of its spiritual progress. |
|
In 1993 the first non-official counsel of Tirana was created, and in 1994 the youth of Tirana established their first youth center, where different activities began to be organized. |
|
|
|
Of great assistance in the organization of the Orthodox youth of Albania have been missionaries, who have come from different parts of the world. |
|
In 1999 the central youth office and the diocesan youth offices were created for the purpose of organizing and coordinating youth activities at the national and diocesan levels. |
|
|
|
Goal Unity and participation in the Body of Christ through witness, growth in knowledge about Christ, friendship and service. In order to fulfill the main goal and other objectives of the youth program, the central youth office in collaboration with the diocesan offices and the catechism office, has developed a variety of youth activities.
|
|
In order to fulfill the main goal and other objectives of the youth program, the central youth office in collaboration with the diocesan offices and the catechism office, has developed a variety of youth activities. |
|
|
|
Youth conferences Youth conferences have attracted the interest of large numbers of youth since their inception. Six conferences are held each year and attract approximately 150 youth participants to each of conference.
|
|
One of the main activities that our church has developed
is the youth summer and winter camp program. Under the direction of His
Beatitude, Archbishop Anastasios, youth camps have been transformed into
spiritual and educational centers for the youth. Each year, eight youth
camps for boys and girls are held and attract approximately 1300 youth from
around Albania. |
|
 |
This activity was first held in 1998 and involved 13 youth groups from around Albania. Today two youth festivals are held each year in each of the dioceses, and from these, the three best groups are selected from each festival and participate in the national youth festival. Also, for the feasts of Easter and Christmas, festivals organized to celebrate these feasts.
|
|
Olympic Games and sports competitions are among the most entertaining activities that the central youth office, in collaboration with the diocesan offices, has organized. About eleven Olympic games and sports competitions are held each year and attract many youth participants.
|
|
|
|
Twin groups The goal of this activity is for youth to get to know each other better, to strengthen their relationships, and to exchange experiences.
|
|
During the year, the central youth office organizes different meetings with the youth groups. The goal of these meetings is to get better acquainted with these youth groups, to identify some of their problems, and to help the youth solve them. For this reason the central youth office each year organizes different training programs and workshops.
|
|
