I greet You in the Name of the Father,and of the Son,and of the Holy Spirit.Today is a very special day for the Youth of the Orthodox World. It is the anniversary of Syndesmos,an International Youth Day,but importantly it is the 50th Anniversary,The Jubilee Year! Imagine, for a half of a century Orthodox Youth have been united and encouraged by and through Syndesmos.

It is through the initiative and example that even our own body of Youth,OCYAK (Orthodox Christian Youth Association of Kenya) was established in 1966. As I recall those days, I remember very warmly Archimandrite Chrysostomos Papasarandopoulos who gathered youth,young men and women,in Kenya to form the Youth Association. It was with great enthusiasm our Kenyan Association of Youth was introduced too SYNDESMOS and finally achieved membership.The farsightedness of Archimandrite Chrysostomos is realised today in Kenya’s active and dedicated Youth through their spiritual, moral and practical commitment to Jesus Christ.

“May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all men, as we do to you.” I Thessalonians 3:12.

I,myself,as a young seminarian, remember my own first participation in SYNDESMOS when I attended the General Assembly of Syndesmos in Boston,United States of America in 1971. During that Assembly I had the wonderful opportunity to meet the Representatives of OCYAK…imagine in America! Among the representatives were Rev.Fr.Dimitrios Kinyanjui and Moses Mugo. The Very Rev.Archimandrite Theodoros Nyakiama represented Uganda. He later became bishop and Metropolitan of Uganda. That meeting with the African delegation was a revelation to me. It opened the doors to my Mission Experience. The members were full of love and enthusiasm for Christ and Christ’s Church. It was as if a candle was lit within me. It fired my interest in Orthodoxy in Africa.

I take today opportunity to encourage you in your work,faith and love for the Orthodox Church. I rejoice with you for this event of the day and I give thanks to the Almighty God for allowing us to celebrate together proving us to be ffull of the Holy Spirit. We believe that our Creator and Saviour,Jesus Christ,has given to you opportunities to serve him humbly and with missionary zeal. With His blessings we cannot become teachers and shepherds,”The power of God and the wisdom of God.”I Corinthians 1:24. Let it be a part of your missionary order to fulfil your vital role in the life of our own church here in Kenya. In particular,I urge you to promote and to foster your fellowship with Jesus Christ and with one another (I John 1:3). Our faith at this hour is the only saving way towards a holy life from which you can continue to explore ways in you can respond to the needs of our people, young as well as old. All of us are called for greater sacrifices and commitments, in order to extend and promote the spirit of unity in eucharistic community.

Our concern,and your concern, should be centred to the salvation of humanity serving the Kingdom of God, in accordance to the will of God. As we are celebrating today, as Orthodox Youth, let us commit ourselves once more to build the Body of Christ. Put your trust in Him alone and God will sustain you at all times to Him in whom the mystery of Incarnation and Redemption contained.

It is interesting to note that many of today’s leaders of Orthodoxy in Africa had strong links with SYNDESMOS which opened opportunities and encouraged vocations in Mission. From the initial experience of the General Assembly Meeting in Boston, I took part in other events and activities of Syndesmos in France,in England, in Belgium, in Greece and in my own homeland,Cyprus.

The Hierarchs and Professors and Youth who were involved in Syndesmos transmitted zeal and love for Jesus Christ and for the work in His Holy Church.These Hierarchs and Professors loved the Youth and recognised how critically their commitment and dedication to Orthodoxy really was. Like them, I join you today to witness your contributions, your spirit of progress, your eagerness to serve Christ,and your flowering faith. You enhance the meaning of the episcopy which is,indeed,a very challenging and grave work. I acknowledge with loud acclaim your continuous support,your seriousness of purpose and your very real and living events and activities which build the Church and fortifies and advances its Mission.

I,myself,as Hierarch and Spiritual Father,have been initiating and participating in Youth Activities and Youth Worship since my consecration as the Bishop of Riruta ten years ago. You have been an encouragement to me…you, who are co-workers in the Lord. We have each had a role to play and that is why I refer to you as co-workers. We have been building Orthodoxy in Kenya together. Your contributions have been many and meaningful. Our Church is expanding at a rate to be noted and the faith is blossoming. When I am in your presence in such a gathering as today I see and I experience the growth of Orthodoxy and its development in you.

The future of Orthodoxy in Kenya is very bright. As we celebrate the Divine Liturgy, share a common programme and the fellowship of today, The International Day of Orthodox Youth, I urge you to be of greater diligence in God and ever vigilant against evil. Do not fear to take up responsibilities in the Church. The Church needs you. We love you and we encourage you to strive ever harder to build and maintain a strong and lasting Orthodox Church in Kenya. Orthodoxy is doomed without you. You are the Church of today of tomorrow and hold the way for the future. Be proud of your origins,your language and your culture which are a part of your personality and necessary for an authentic Orthodox identity. I close with this Biblical Verse which guides you on your way to God:

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed,rightly handling the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15.