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You Young people you are strong in your faith and hope – Invitation by H.E. Archbishop Soueif.
It is true that we are undergoing a fierce crisis
but it is also true that you young people you are strong in your faith and in your hope
By this message your Archbishop Youssef Soueif is calling you
to reflect and discuss on the actual situation with a human approach, spiritual, simple and profound.
Discover the strength of your belief and your values,
of your capacity to make your dreams come true.
No one can damage your freedom, your soul and your spirit because Jesus today tells to all of you:
“Do not be afraid”
Friday 19th April 2013 - Hall of the Cathedral our Lady of Graces - 7.30 p.m.
After the Holy Mass everybody enjoyed dinner and had much fun at Fanous Lebanese Restaurant in Laiki Gitonia in Nicosia. Present at the restaurant was also HE the Maronite Archbishop Youssef Soueif who enjoyed, together with the young people, the delicious Lebanese dishes to the accompaniment of the guitar and voice of a promising young boy from our community, Avramis Kontou. Before leaving, our Archbishop announced the visit of a youth group from Lebanon on 13-17 August 2010 and encouraged the young people to participate in the programme through which they will be able to get to know each other and live nice moments together.
After the Archbishop’s departure the young people continued singing and dancing until the early morning hours which found them satisfied by the successful issue of one more meeting with each other and our Archbishop.
The workers for the Lord’s harvest will prove far from few since our young people seem to have the inner strength to accept the Lord as their fellow-traveller. They just need someone who can trace for them, with the language of love and honesty, the footsteps they are to follow...
On behalf of the Pastoral Service for the Youth
16/07/2010
Pastoral Service for the Youth, Excursion to the Village of Ayia Anna
Despite the rainy and cold weather about 100 young people participated in the excursion to the village of Ayia Anna on the morning of Sunday 24 January. Everyone gathered outside the Church of Our Lady of Graces at 11:30 in the morning. There were young people from all Maronite villages among the group.
The journey was short and after 35 minutes, the group arrived outside the stone-built church of Saint Anna within the village. After a short visit and pilgrimage in the Church everyone entered the traditional tavern. The decoration of the tavern depicting the early life of traditional Cypriots but also the smells of cooked food coming from the kitchen
provoked the creation of a friendly and warm atmosphere.
Upon the arrival of our Archbishop the serving of the food started. This was followed by the singing and dancing of our young people who proved once more that they are quite capable of having a good time in a unique way. Mr Antonis Hadjiroussos, our representative in the House of Parliament, also passed by to greet the youth.
The departure for Nicosia was set at 5 o’ clock in the afternoon. Upon arrival the Holy Mass was celebrated by Our Archbishop in the Church of Our Lady of Graces. In his speech the Archbishop expressed his joy for the very warm response of the youth to the calling of the church and noted that the young people are a priority in all he does.
He also asked the youth to cooperate with the church for the best preparation of the visit of His Holiness the Pope
in Cyprus. Once again, special attention was given to the musical part during the mass with the participation of
a group of young choristers and also guitars. Many parents attended the mass showing their support to these youth gatherings.
The first steps have already been made… Let’s all be alerted and help to create the proper foundations to build and
support our most solid establishment … our youth.
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Pastoral Service for the Youth, 1st Gathering
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Our Archbishop chose the best way to celebrate his one year of Archbishopric presence in Cyprus. Despite the rainy and cold weather of the afternoon of 6th December, a great number of young people started gathering at Our Lady of Graces Church to participate in the Holy Mass for the Youth. During the Holy Mass which was celebrated by our Archbishop and the Chorebishop John Orfanou, special attention was given to the musical part.
A group of young choristers and three guitars under the direction of Dinos Poullis, gave the Mass a different dimension. The special booklet that was prepared with the hymns encouraged the participation of all the young people. The Holy Mass was also attended by the mother of our Archbishop who visited Cyprus to celebrate his one year of Archbishopric presence and shared a hymn with him. In his speech the Archbishop asked for the support of the youth and noted that without their presence the Church cannot exist. He stressed his willingness to satisfy all their needs and his wish which is to let the church become a part of their lives. In this first meeting he announced the creation of monthly meetings for the youth. The aim of these meetings is to organize the Holy Mass but also to create activities suggested and supported by the young people. The attendance of the young people showed their acceptance to participate in the activities suggested by the Archbishop.
The Holy Mass was followed by a meeting of the youth for food, drinks and music in the premises of the Church. During the meeting a small film was shown with the activities of the Archbishop during this first year of service. To celebrate his one year of presence in Cyprus, a group of young people presented to him a cake with one candle singing Happy Birthday. The Archbishop was deeply moved by this gesture. This was followed by a video of the upcoming visit of His Holiness the Pope in Cyprus stressing the important role of the youth during this visit who must participate in every way. The evening ended with music and songs. A group of young people with guitars and bouzouki invited everyone to join their songs and created a very friendly and festive atmosphere. Tony Solomou was present among the youth and asked their help to perform different popular Cyprus Maronite songs like “Mariniotou”. The young people were once more very anxious and happy to join him.
In the end, the coordinating team thanked everyone who contributed to the success of the event. Special thanks were also given to all organizations and key persons of the Maronite Community who support and will continue to support such meetings. This first meeting was only the first of many to follow… Everyone’s support and participation is required so as to strengthen our Maronite identity among our youth.
Marios Hadjiroussos - On behalf of the Pastoral Service for the Youth
06/12/2009
