The Greek city of Corinth has hosted from 23 to 28 August 2018 the European Coptic Youth Convention organised by the Coptic Orthodox Youth Bishopric, and held annually since 2000.
Titled “The Christian concept of liberty”, the convention witnessed participation of 600 male and female young Copts from 12 European countries. Participating were two Coptic metropolitans and seven bishops: Anba Antonius, Metropolitan of Jerusalem; Anba Benyamin, Metropolitan of Menoufiya; Anba Moussa, Bishop of Youth; Anba Anthony, Bishop of Ireland; Anba Abakir, Bishop of Scandinavian Countries; Anba Luka, Bishop of South France; Anba Pavlos, Bishop of Greece; and Anba Antonio Bishop of Milano.
Twenty priests and monks also participated in the convention’s activities along with renowned Coptic psychiatrist Dr Magdy Ishaq.
Anba Moussa opened the convention, and delivered a lecture on the concept freedom in Christianity.
Mass was said daily; a large number of young men taking part as deacons. Daily praise was held in Arabic and Coptic, in addition to passages sung in the languages of the countries from which came all the participating young people.
A number of trips were organised for the young people to visit Christian landmarks in Greece; they visited the monastery of Anba Badaba the Egyptian whose body remains intact, as well as the church and monastery pf Deaconness Phoebe.
On closing day, it was agreed that next year’s convention would be hosted by the Diocese of Torino and Rome, the second time this diocese hosts the convention.
Watani International
2 September 2018