Atlanta Symposium: Orthodox Identity in America

Young adults gathered at the St. Mary of Egypt parish and monastery in Atlanta, Georgia for a symposium hosted by St. Mary’s and the Prince Vladimir Youth Association. The theme of this symposium was “Orthodox Identity in America,” with a special emphasis on Orthodox youth in the southern United States.

Nearly all 60 attendees were from southern states, including Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina. The symposium began on May 30th and concluded on June 1st, during which time participants took part in lectures, workshops, and hierarchical Divine Services presided over by Bishop James of Sonora as the keynote speaker.

Keynote Speakers

Bishop James of Sonora

Bishop James focused his lecture at the symposium, central to the theme of Orthodox Identity, in which he shared from his experiences as a young adult converting to Orthodoxy connecting with many of the youth participants, most of whom are also converts to the Faith. He described Orthodox identity as a unity - among Christians and with Christ Himself - in the Holy Mysteries, emphasizing example as part of identity exhorting the youth participants: “be generous with your lives”.

Reverend Peter Markevich

Reverend Peter Markevich, rector of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in North Carolina, also addressed the youth in a keynote lecture. He began by recalling a famous quote of Father Seraphim Rose, that “Orthodoxy is America’s best-kept secret”. Although Orthodox Christianity is growing in this country, Father Peter emphasizes the role of Orthodox Christians, particularly the youth, in combating concurrent anti-Christian societal trends. He insists that community-building - not online communities such as message boards or social media, but a lively parish life - will separate us from the rest of the world. He encouraged the youth to take active roles and apply their talents to contribute to their parish community. He also remarked that young people are remarkably mobile and should use their flexible time to visit other parishes, make connections, and strengthen their regional Orthodox Christian networks.

Workshops

Building on Father Peter’s message of youth involvement in parish life, Very Rev. Andrei Sommer led a workshop which he called “Building a Church from the Inside Out”. Youth participants were encouraged to share ways in which they could contribute to parish life. They shared many ideas for enriching their local communities, including establishing food pantries for the needy and organizing activities for children and young adults, and inspired each other to take active roles in their church lives.

Orthodoxy in the American South

In recent years, the American South has become a foothold for the Orthodox Faith. Several participants shared their experiences as guests on the Orthodox Youth Podcast, produced by the Prince Vladimir Youth Association. Podcast guests shared their perspectives on Orthodoxy’s place in the largely Christian “Bible Belt” region of the United States.

The symposium provided a unique opportunity for Orthodox youth across the southern United States to connect, share experiences, and strengthen their faith community in a region where Orthodox Christianity continues to grow and flourish.