Our youth deserves our special attention by virtue of their being called to open new ways for the spreading of evangelical precepts. If we will involve youth, especially in that which excites them to love God and desire to serve the Church and the Fatherland, we shall be capable of great works for the sake of Church, Orthodoxy and our long-suffering native land. In particular the Russian Church Abroad, dispersed worldwide, can carry out this mission-to promote the spread of Orthodoxy and its great heritage among people, ringing far and near. In our foreign sojourns the Church has always been the core around of which our life was built.
Assimilation is one of the basic problems of our youth as it threatens to distance them from the Church. Orthodoxy and Russian values are kept only at Church. Practical experience has demonstrated that without the Church it is probable that they will keep neither the belief, language or culture. If a young person considers himself Russian , he will most likely be a church-going person and participate in the life of the parish. Assimilation remains a big problem because we have to live in non-Orthodox and non-believing societies that have differing outlooks on life that are very tempting. In America, and the West in general, comfort and egoism is preached. Drugs, drunkenness, illegitimate relationships are extremely widespread. All this is preached and condoned as something natural. It is very difficult to resist this influence when we have a similar lifestyle and are exposed to the reinforcing world outlook spread by our society. These temptations are really overwhelming. But if they have Russian Orthodox friends with whom they can communicate, if they have kind, good role models with whom they can frankly share their thoughts and experiences, then it is possible to expect that they will keep the faith and not fall away from God's commandments.
Therefore it is most important that our youth have people who set an example of a kind and loving life, who speak and understand the language, are able to answer questions and who are able to simply dedicate time for them. It is very important – in this way we sow the seed that will yield the good fruit. Let us be persistent and purposeful in serving our youth with love, patience and understanding, imparting to them the love of Orthodoxy.
The blessing of the Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the grace of the Holy Spirit be on you all. Amen
