Colmar Manor, MD – On Saturday, May 16, 2026, Medhane Alem Eritrean Orthodox Cathedral hosted a youth day organized under the auspices of His Grace Bishop Makarios and His Grace Bishop Sinoda by the parish together with the local chapter of the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Youth Associations (SCOOYA).
The day began with Kidan (the Prayer of the Covenant) and Divine Liturgy led by the priests of the parish: V. Rev. Fr. Tesfom Abrahale, V. Rev. Fr. Weldetinsae Berhane, and Rev. Fr. Yohannes Hansom. The three priests were joined at the altar by deacons of the Eritrean, Coptic, Ethiopian, and Armenian Churches.
After the Liturgy, the assembled youth adjoined to the church hall where they were treated to a delicious agape meal of Eritrean cuisine before playing ice-breaker games and listening to speeches from Rev. Archdeacon Gebre Kristos Nicholas Siniari (Secretary of the Standing Conference of Oriental Churches – SCOOCh) and Mr. Abel Ressom inviting and encouraging them to join the local chapter of SCOOYA, which is dedicated to St. George the Great Martyr. Mr. Ressom is the president of the chapter.
Later, the youth returned to the sanctuary for English-language mezmur (Orthodox hymns), followed by talks by Tasoni Crystal Siniari of the St. Marina Young Women’s Orthodox Christian Fellowship and Archdeacon Gebre Kristos Nicholas, who heads the St. John Chrysostom & St. Gregory of Nyssa Orthodox Tewahdo Youth Group. Tasoni’s subject was Freedom in Christ and Archdeacon’s was Overcoming the Passions. After the talks, each of the speakers (who are a married couple, serving the Church together) engaged in open Q&A with the youth. Finally, at the end of a long and fruitful day of brotherhood, sisterhood, and fellowship, Fr. Tesfom dismissed the attendees with prayer.
The Standing Conference encourages Orthodox unity at the local level. If your parish would like help in organizing a Concelebrated Liturgy or other event, or in establishing a local chapter of SCOOYA, please reach out to SCOOCh for support.