March 16, 1942

The Day the Orthodox Youth Movement Entered the History of the Church of Antioch

83 Years Since Its Founding... and the Movement Is Still Vibrant With Faith

Exclusive: Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

March 16, 1942, at three o'clock in the afternoon... the dawn of a new era began in the See of Antioch. A date that carried hope, faith, and determination amidst the stagnation and crises that the Church was passing through at the time. A youthful date that formed a bright spring of joy which restored life to every spot of despair and sadness. It is the official founding date of a Movement that knows no identity other than life in Christ, and no system other than the Gospel translated into life. It is the Orthodox Youth Movement (OYM – MJO), the caring mother, the safe haven, and the community that believes in the talents of youth and the work of the Holy Spirit among them, bearing the slogan, "For in him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28).

The Orthodox Youth Movement celebrates its 83rd anniversary this year. Its founding was merely the beginning of a revivalist workshop, carried by the founders' concerns and aspirations, with the aim of building the individual in Christ through knowledge and action, studying the Bible and matters of faith, delving into the depths of Jesus Christ's teachings, and bearing witness to the Lord. This is also achieved through service, translating faith into love for others and standing by every relative and stranger.

This is what His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family, called for: "Love Christ, read the Bible, memorize it. Fast and Pray, be like the Fathers who raised us" (from the opening of the Movement's General Secretariat Conference - Balamand, May 26, 2023).

83 years have passed, and the founding goal still lives on in the hearts of the Movement's members, young men and women, clergy and lay people, united by the concern for evangelization and spreading the word of Jesus Christ throughout the world. Together, on every founding anniversary, they sing, "Sing like birds and sing a melody of joy... and shout to the youth, Today is a feast, a happy commemoration feast!...”

With every happy commemoration, the founding goal remains embodied in the first of the Movement' six principles: “The Orthodox Youth Movement is a spiritual Movement that calls all the Orthodox believers to a religious, ethical, cultural and social renaissance. OYM calls for the creation of a renaissance movement within the Orthodox Church. All the believers who uphold the cause of Jesus Christ in Antioch are part of the movement even if they are not official members of the OYM.”

A noble cause launched by founders who were then university students and shared the concern of the Orthodox Church, with the aim of conveying its Teachings and consolidating them among believers. Among these founders are His Eminence Metropolitan George Khodr, who was the Movement's first Secretary General, Archimandrite Elias Morcos, Brothers Albert Laham, Dimitri Qas’aa, Edward Laham, Michel Khoury, Gabriel Saadeh, Gabriel Debs and others.

On January 22, 1946, the Orthodox Youth Movement witnessed a pivotal moment in its history. The Holy Synod, headed by His Beatitude Patriarch Alexandros, granted the Patriarchal Charter to the Movement after reviewing its statutes. This strengthened the trust of the Pastors in the Movement.

83 years have passed since the founding meeting. This meeting, which witnessed a historic event and a renaissance that continues to this day with brothers and sisters from all ages working diligently, with deep faith and great hope in the Church, continuing their Prayers with courage and hope, believing that Jesus Christ, the Captain of the ship, will not abandon them.

83 years have passed, and the season of the Feast of the Founding remains, as His Eminence Metropolitan George Khodr said, a season of love: "This is a season of love, because the Orthodox Youth Movement is all about love. It does not look at our weaknesses. The Church is always weak, even though it is clothed in the strength of Christ."