Clergy-Laity Congress participants came together this morning for the second Divine Liturgy of the Congress. The Divine Liturgy was prayed for all delegates and participants of the Clergy-Laity Congress, the National Philoptochos Convention and the Archdiocesan Monastic Synaxis. His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Great Britain and Thyateira presided over the Divine Liturgy. Faithful joined Archbishop Nikitas, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and the Holy Eparchial Synod to pray together.
His Grace Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia gave the sermon, emphasizing the importance of outreach to the next generation of Orthodox Christians. “For us to make a difference in our age, we have to dive into the rich past of the treasure passed on to us by our Orthodox faith and emphasize the important role of worship in our communities…If we are looking to pass on to our children a healthy experience of the Church as life, we need to offer them a vision they will be willing to embrace…and allow the youth to witness the Church in all its glory by being an example that embodies Christ’s teaching and sacrifice. Once we show them the way, we need to get out of the way. And give them more responsibility for taking on leadership roles. If we don’t start now, we will lose our children, and the blame we will be ours.”
Photos: GOARCH/Brittainy Newman
