Met. Ignatios: Children Today Want to Know the Truth
Met. Ignatios marked the New Year by honoring catechists and youth leaders, praising their vital role in guiding young people amid the spiritual disorientation of the modern world.
THESSALY, GREECE — The traditional New Year’s event honoring parish catechists was held on January 4 at the Thessaly Conference Center, bringing together youth ministry leaders, parish priests, and those responsible for youth work across the Local Church.
The gathering opened with the blessing of the New Year’s vasilopita by Met. Ignatios of Demetrias, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to catechists and youth leaders for their selfless service to the Church’s pastoral mission among young people.
In his address, Met. Ignatios spoke about the spiritual disorientation of the modern world, noting that many have lost a sense of direction necessary for peaceful coexistence. He emphasized the central role of faith, stressing that when God is absent from human life, people struggle to find meaning and stability.
Referring specifically to catechetical work, he underlined its importance for children and youth, describing it as vital to helping them encounter and live the truth. He added that even small groups of young people remain a source of hope and blessing for the Church.
The Metropolitan concluded by thanking his collaborators and acknowledging the contributions of Archimandrite Maximos Papaioannou and Archdeacon Fr. Iakovos Proias. The event ended in a festive atmosphere with dinner and live music.
Previously, the UOJ reported on hundreds of children being baptized in Georgia.
