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
SBU told Phanar many UOC bishops would join OCU in 2018, report says
According to a Phanar representative’s account, Ukrainian security services told the Constantinople delegation that many UOC representatives were prepared to attend the OCU’s “Unification Council.” In the end, only two did.
Catholic cardinal visits Ukrainian POWs during trip to Russia
During three days of consultations in Moscow, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi discussed prospects for ending the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainians help restore Serbian Orthodox church in Paris
Orthodox Ukrainians have become regular parishioners of St. Sava Church in Paris and have taken part in its restoration.
Bulgarian Church clergy and laity oppose Phanar head’s visit
More than 2,000 clergy and laity have called for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to be canceled, citing disagreement with his actions and concerns that the visit could legitimize schism.
Unknown intruders break down doors at two UOC churches in Sloviansk
Archbishop Paisiy said OCU activists are suspected of breaking into the churches in Sloviansk, and police have launched an investigation.
Sviatohirsk Lavra prays for murdered monk on 40th day after death
The brethren of the Sviatohirsk Lavra held a memorial service for murdered Monk Varsonofiy, calling on the faithful to pray for the newly departed monk.