Ukrainian Youth Meeting in Northern Germany
On June 22, the Ukrainian parish of All Saints in Hamburg hosted a meeting of the youth from the Northern Deanery of Germany, part of the Apostolic Exarchate for Ukrainians of the Byzantine Rite in Germany and Scandinavia. This event, held for the first time, gathered 90 young people.
This was reported by the press service of the Apostolic Exarchate.
The event began with the Divine Liturgy, during which the youth received the Sacrament of Confession. Later, representatives from various parishes presented the life and activities of their communities, fostering communication, networking, and the sharing of experiences.
The main goal of the meeting was to deepen the participants’ understanding of their faith, strengthen their relationship with God, and find answers to important spiritual questions. To this end, the rector, Rev. Pavlo Tsvok, prepared a catechesis on the topic “The Meaning of Life and Vocation.”
The insights shared during the catechesis were invaluable for the young attendees. Understanding one’s vocation can be challenging, but Fr. Pavlo emphasized that by focusing on one’s own life instead of comparing it to others, multiplying the talents given by God, and striving for holiness every day while doing the Father’s will, the meaning of life becomes clearer.
Afterwards, the participants engaged in group discussions moderated by Hamburg youth. This was followed by a feast featuring bansy (Ukrainian folk dance), Cossack borscht cooked over a fire and a grill provided by the Hamburg youth community.
Following a hearty lunch, the participants enjoyed a musical performance. A band from Berlin, led by their priest, lit up the stage with Ukrainian folk and pop songs as well as devotional songs.
The event concluded with a prayer to the Mother of God.
The next meeting will be held in 2025 in Berlin.
The UGCC Department for Information
