Youth Pray and Walk Together Towards the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ
What Are the Preparations of the Syrian Orthodox Religious Education Center in Qamishli for the Feast of Feasts?
You can find, at the end of the text, some photos about the activities of the Syrian Orthodox Religious Education Center in Qamishli.
Exclusive: Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12: 12). With the words of Saint Paul to the Romans, youth today walk in an era shadowed by crises and conflicts. Amidst all the challenges surrounding them, they have chosen to hold fast to their upright faith, continuing their Prayers with great hope and believing that Jesus Christ, the Captain of the ship, will not abandon them.
The youth have found in the Church a safe haven and a warm embrace that eases their daily pressures. They are the heartbeat and movement of the Church, both its present and future, as their constant activity within it makes them an inseparable part of it.
Today, they are preparing together for the Feast of Feasts and the Season of Seasons in a journey of Lent and Prayer, each according to their Ecclesiastical Traditions, towards the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This year, their joy is even greater, especially since all the Churches are celebrating Easter on the same date. So, what are their preparations and what are their aspirations?
The Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) reached out to the brothers and sisters in Qamishli, this vibrant city that brings together different Christian Families, and asked them about their activities during this Blessed time.
In this context, Julie Shabo, a servant at the Religious Education Center for Syrian Orthodox, explains that the Center began preparing for the journey of Easter, Resurrection, and joy in Christ Jesus since the beginning of the Great Lent.
Julie Shabo, a servant at the Religious Education Center for Syrian Orthodox - Qamishli
She added, “We have all embarked on this journey, in all the educational stages at the Center, primary, preparatory, secondary and university, so that we may receive spiritual nourishment and blessings to live with the Lord, sharing in His resurrection and sufferings to rise with Him, joyful and victorious, on His Resurrection day.”
She continued, “The youth at the Center are preparing for the celebrations of Palm Sunday, Nahira Rite, Holy Week, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter according to the arrangements and Rituals in our Syrian Orthodox Church. The youth's tasks include preparing candle holders with candles for the Nahira Prayer, as well as preparing and filling bitter water in bottles to be distributed in our Churches to the faithful on Good Friday, as a reminder of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, as mentioned in the Bible: ‘There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall’ (Matthew 27: 34).”
On another note, Julie pointed out that “the youth work, in all stages, to strengthen spiritual life throughout the year, but in this Blessed Season, we intensify our spiritual reflections related to the Resurrection and sufferings, emphasizing that we must never forget the grace that the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has given us, for He is the one who granted us salvation through His Incarnation, Suffering, Crucifixion, Death, and gave us a new opportunity, becoming the Sacrificial Lamb who bore all the sufferings so that we might live. Therefore, we must live this period with reverence, Prayer, and Lent as a token of love and gratitude to our Lord Jesus Christ.”
At the end of her talk, Julie Shabo said, “On behalf of myself and my brothers and sisters, the servants at the Religious Education Center for Syrian Orthodox in Qamishli, we wish you a blessed Feast, saying as our teacher, Saint Paul, said: ‘Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.’”
She noted that this year, “the feeling is indescribable, especially since we are celebrating Easter together. We are all one in Christ. From here, we Pray that our resurrection may be in our minds, bodies, souls, and thoughts, that we may be freed from everything to be with Christ, where there are no limits but the absolute Christian freedom. Christ is Risen, He Is Truly risen.”
In light of this youthful reality filled with joy and hope, youth today live in a society that directs negative accusations and comments towards them, which could lead them into a spiral of despair and anxiety. Some people consider them distant from the Church, Prayer, and hope, while others think they are unprepared to build a better future.
But has anyone asked youth about their needs and concerns in front of their uncertain future?
This question raises an urgent issue!
