The Orthodox young people of the Holy Metropolis of Moanesa also have the same concerns and the same questions as young people in the rest of the world: What will be their future? What will their future be? What will be their future? Where will they channel their dynamism and skills? Where will they work? How will they survive? Will they prefer the village or the city? What does marriage, family mean? What is the meaning of difficulties in life? In a place that is completely devoid of conditions and conditions conducive to education and professional advancement, this reflection seems nightmarish for young people who have just managed to finish primary or secondary school. And now what? And now where? Since there is no possibility of financial support from the family, the emancipation of the young person is necessary and imperative.
Then, for Orthodox young people in particular, questions are raised concerning their Christianity and their intention to experience it consciously and responsibly:
- How can I be adequately trained in matters of right faith and life with completeness and clarity in the language I speak?
- How will I be able to live Christianly, consistently, and who or what spouse will follow me on this path?
- How can I be active in my Church when I lack the educational conditions and experience?
- Where am I to seek experienced spiritual guidance in life in Christ when almost all of my spiritual fathers and brothers are new converts?
There may be other concerns that do not fit within the typical questions I have raised above. In any case, our young people are thinking, watching, envisioning, and expecting their Church to guide them with honesty and authenticity. And it is our great responsibility to respond to these concerns. For above and beyond material deprivation, the indigenous people of Africa are asking the Orthodox Church to give meaning to their lives and existence. To reveal to them authentically the person of Jesus Christ, their Creator and Saviour. To interpret to them the mystery of life and death. To convey to them the message of hope and resurrection. To intoxicate them with the intoxicating wine of the eternal Kingdom. To drive them mad with the madness of Christ’s sacrificial love for them. This is the “what” of the Church and of faith in Him. And it is a vision for us that more and more people will discover in the person of the God-Man “the Way, the Truth and the Life” of their lives. That His Kingdom may spread and gain ground in our hearts, so that one day all people everywhere may become one in Christ, bathed and shining in His light and love.
From the Holy Metropolis of Muanza
