Message on International Youth Day

2022

"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers

 in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

(1 Timothy 4, 12)

Dear young people,

Since 1999, on August 12, we celebrate International Youth Day. On this day we are urged to focus on the difficulties facing young people around the world.

Created by the United Nations (UN) to help raise awareness of youth issues, the objective of the day is to amplify the message about the need to act in favor of intergenerational solidarity.

This is a special moment in which we urge you to reflect very deeply on the advices and exhortations that the Church and the Holy Fathers put before you. You need to remember the need to get involved in society and in the family by helping and taking care of your parents and grandparents, those who, together with the Church, are architects of Christian souls and characters.

It is also a special moment to celebrate your actions and initiatives as young people, at the level of youth association ROYA, parochial schools, the activities of the Department of Education. United in prayer, we hope you feel that we all belong to a living and dynamic Church, becoming lights in the secularized world that surrounds us, keeping and giving pure and unconditional Christian love.

The teachings of the Church and the treasures of thought left by the Holy Fathers will help you to overcome any difficulty that will seem insurmountable; it will show you that you are not alone or isolated, but always guarded by Christ. Therefore, love and feel close to Christ as a brother, friend and parent, and thus you will have the whole world close to you.

I urge you to cultivate and preserve the treasure of friendship with sincerity and fidelity; to reject and discourage any form of disregard for one's neighbor; cultivate the beauty, be noble in thought and plant light in all you undertake.

Be kind, generous, wise and follow the image of friendship in Christ: "You are My friends … I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you" (John 15, 14-15).

In your relationships with parents and grandparents, be a comforting word and a helping hand. May your deeds and thoughts be humble. Be humble towards your parents, towards your teachers and towards your colleagues as the first martyr of humility, Christ was. Have full confidence in His help.

The enthusiasm of youth, the harmonious thinking and the pure joy are justified and welcome in the Church and in society. Keep them alive and grow in them!

It is you who keep alive the flame of the ancient Orthodox faith here in Canada. You are a blessing to the family, Church and society.

We pray to God to bless you all and make you chosen vessels of faith for the joy of the whole Orthodoxy.

May you be blessed in every good thing!

With fatherly blessings in Christ the Lord,

† IOAN CASIAN

The Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada

Saint-Hubert, August 12, 2022