Over 200 Youth Attend 46th Annual St. Herman Conference in Albany
Over 200 Orthodox youth gathered in Albany for the 46th St. Herman Youth Conference, engaging in prayers, lectures, icon veneration, and discussions on faith and modern challenges.
ALBANY, NY — Youth from across the Eastern American and Canadian Dioceses gathered in Albany, New York, for the 46th Annual St. Herman Youth Conference, held at the Nativity of the Mother of God Church from December 22–24, 2025. Over 200 participants traveled by car, train, and plane to attend the multi-day spiritual and educational event.
On December 23, the conference began with Morning Prayers before the myrrh-streaming Hawaiian Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, welcomed by Abp. Gabriel of Montreal & Canada, who encouraged the youth to confess their sins and partake of the Holy Mysteries at Divine Liturgy. Keynote lectures included Archpriest Peter Perekrestov’s “The Aroma of Holiness: The Legacy of the Russian Church Abroad," accompanied by a film on St. John of Shanghai & San Francisco, and Subdeacon Nicholas Ganson’s “Embracing Mystery, Escaping Ideology.”
The following day featured a lecture by Bsp. Luke of Syracuse on the challenges of artificial intelligence for Orthodox Christians, as well as veneration of the Hawaiian Iveron and Kursk Root Icons, discussion groups, and community activities fostering faith, reflection, and fellowship among the participants.
Previously, the UOJ reported that the Hawaiian Iveron icon had made its first visit to Japan.
