Over the two days of November 4 and 5, 2023, the first Youth Conference of the Holy Metropolis of Pisidia took place in Side (Manavgat) with the theme “for it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). About 50 delegates from Attalia, Sparta, Alanya and Side participated on Saturday morning, 4 November 2023, in the Divine Liturgy held at the Church of the Apostle Paul, which was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, who in the afternoon, as the main speaker, analysed the theme of the Conference.
At the beginning he interpreted the saying of the Apostle Paul in the context of the New Testament and then he focused on the meaning of the sacrament of baptism and its importance for a personal encounter with Christ. The delegates then discussed the topic in small groups and later in plenary. The first day closed with Vespers and the Sunday Matins Service, followed by the celebratory dinner.
The following day, at the Sunday Divine Liturgy, the Regional Bishop presided with the clergy of Antalya and Side. After breakfast, Father Ivan Koval made a presentation on the study of the Holy Bible in the life of the parish. He underlined the importance of a more complete knowledge of the Word of God for a personal encounter with Jesus Christ and for the support of the parish community. After a short discussion, the delegates visited the archaeological site of Side, where Christianity spread thanks to the preaching of the Apostle Paul. There the Conference ended, with a seaside lunch, which was held in a pleasant atmosphere.
The young delegates expressed the hope that the Holy Metropolis will organise other similar conferences in the near future.
