Festival marking Orthodox Youth Day held in UOC's Volyn Eparchy

Annual Orthodox Youth Congress "Sreteniefest 2026". Photo: press service of the Volyn Eparchy

On February 19, 2026, in Lutsk, with the blessing of Metropolitan Nathanael of Volyn and Lutsk, the annual Orthodox youth gathering “SretienieFest 2026” took place. This was reported by the press service of the Volyn Eparchy.

The event was organized by the Volyn Eparchy Youth Department, headed by Archimandrite Iliya (Vyshnevskyi). The festival was held at a business center in Lutsk (2 Pyatnytska Hirka Street) and brought together representatives of Orthodox youth associations from across the eparchy.

Traditionally, the forum began with a common prayer. Youth groups then performed sacred hymns, followed by a panel discussion. During the discussion, participants asked clergy questions and raised topics related to spiritual life and contemporary challenges.

Among the festival’s guests was Archpriest Oleksandr Klymenko, winner of the Ukrainian vocal project “The Voice of the Country – 7.” Clergy noted the importance of such meetings for strengthening church unity and supporting young people in their desire to take an active part in the life of the Church.

“Orthodox Youth Day is the joy of meeting, sincerity, and the living Church. The event united young people around shared values and created an atmosphere of lively fellowship and service,” said Archpriest Andriy Havryliuk, rector of the Nativity of Christ Church in Horokhiv.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Zhytomyr Eparchy of the UOC held a brain-ring competition for Orthodox youth.

Read also

Bancheny Monastery reports provocation

The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.

Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine

On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.

Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution

At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.

Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession

The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.

Festival marking Orthodox Youth Day held in UOC's Volyn Eparchy

In Lutsk, the UOC’s annual youth forum brought together parish groups, clergy, and participants in a creative program for Orthodox Youth Day.

London mayor switches on festive Ramadan lights

In London, the Muslim mayor inaugurated Ramadan illuminations: a central street was decorated with a “Happy Ramadan” sign and Islamic-style ornaments.