Address by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill on the occasion of Orthodox Youth Day

On February 15, 2024, on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the Day of Orthodox Youth is celebrated. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' sent his message on the occasion of the holiday:

Dear brothers and sisters!

I cordially congratulate you all on this special occasion: the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, as well as the Day of Orthodox Youth.

Now the Church glorifies the bringing of the Divine Infant Jesus to the Temple of Jerusalem and remembers His meeting with the righteous Simeon and the prophetess Anna, in whose image the holy fathers traditionally see the personification of all people who, from the beginning of time, have been awaiting the coming of the Savior into the world. What is the spiritual meaning of this holiday? The eternal, but young God in humanity meets with an old man, fed up with days, preparing for the transition to Eternity. This is meeting in order, as it is sung in the kontakion of the holiday, to bless the hand of Simeon, as appropriate, in advance. Before His departure to serve people, Christ blesses the righteous elder, granting him absolution from temporary life and renewing him with hope for the hoped-for eternal salvation.

You've probably heard the expression when someone is said to have a "young soul." But can a soul grow old? Do the laws of the physical world apply to it? Yes, the soul ages, but these wrinkles are not visible to the eye. It becomes decrepit when it loses the eternal meaning of existence and loses it’s connection with God. Then a person, regardless of age, feels mental fatigue and an inner emptiness that cannot be filled by any external entertainment and impressions.

Without God, everything young and young by earthly standards becomes old and spiritually weak. On the contrary, in God a person finds true meaning and the will to live, finds his purpose and begins to truly know himself. The old earthly is renewed only by the young Heavenly eternity. We are all called to strive for such an enduring, spiritual transformation—for an ageless life.

I would like to wish everyone and especially to our young brothers and sisters in Christ - never to lose spiritual vigor and value personal relationships with the Lord, supporting them by teaching in the word of God, fulfilling the Gospel commandments and above all, participating in the saving Sacraments of the Church.

May the blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Liberator of our souls, who gives us the resurrection (troparion of the Presentation), be with you all.

+ Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'