2nd LOGOS Coptic Youth Forum

LOGOS Coptic Youth Forum (LYF) is the second forum in the chain of the forums of joy. The first link in this chain was the 1st LOGOS Coptic Youth Forum (LYF): the international week for youth; our youth outside Egypt. The theme of LYF 2018 was “Back to the Roots”. It took place in August 2018.

The second link in the chain of the forums of joy was LYF. This was for our youth within Egypt and its theme was “Enjoy the Roots.” The plan was to hold it in 2020, but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were youth chosen by bishops. The conditions for being selected were being an active member of their church and between the ages of 20-25 years.

Approximately 200 youth were chosen in 2020 to attend the forum. They were from 74 different dioceses and service sectors. When the forum was postponed to 2021, the organizing committee, led by H.H. Pope Tawadros II, decided to stick with the same group of youth who were previously selected.

The bishops paid great attention to the selection of the youth for the forum. Some carried out tests for the candidates, whilst others held interviews to approve the youth chosen to represent their diocese. The organizers welcomed the youth from Saturday 21st August until the morning of the following day. Along with a group of metropolitans and bishops, H.H. Pope Tawadros II led the grand opening ceremony of the forum in the Logos Papal Centre; St Bishoy’s Monastery, Wadi el Natroun. In his speech, His Holiness welcomed the participants, stating that the youth were the most precious thing in the land of Egypt. He encouraged them to enjoy their roots, for their roots extended to every place in Egypt. The following day, His Holiness commenced the forum with the Divine Liturgy in the presence of 200 youth.

Throughout the forum, successful public figures spoke with the youth, through lectures or interviews to inspire them. These included:
1. Dr. Ashraf Sobhy – Minister of the Youth and Sport
2. Dr. Rasha Ayad Ragheb – Executive Director of the National Training Academy of Egypt
3. Dr. Jackleen Azer – Deputy Governor of Alexandria
4. Dr. Peter Mimi – Television Director
5. Dr. Eng. Marian Azer – Previous Member of Parliament and Advisor to the Minister of Communication and Information Technology for Strategic Initiatives.

They all emphasized the importance of exerting effort and perseverance to obtain success.

For external trips, there was a variety of spiritual, patriotic and cultural visits.

Cultural trips included visits to:
1. Bibliotheca Alexandrina
2. Abdeen Palace
3. The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization

Spiritual trips included visits to:
1. St. Bishoy’s Monastery, Wadi el Natroun
2. Prince Theodore’s Convent
3. St. Mark’s Cathedral, Alexandria
4. St. Mercurius Abu Sefein’s Convent in Old Cairo
5. The Nativity Cathedral in the New Administrative Capital

Patriotic and military visits included trips to:
1. Nasser Military Academy
2. New developments in the New Administrative Capital and the Olympic City

The spiritual aim of the forum was finding joy which cannot be found except through true spiritual life and fellowship with Christ. The spiritual programme included:
1. Attending Liturgies
2. Attending Midnight Praises
3. Bible Studies on the epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians and the epistle of St. James
4. Spiritual talks about joy, titled: “Why Do We Not Find Joy? and How Can We Find Joy?” They were delivered by Hegumen Boules George and Father Mousa Nassry, priests of St Mark’s Church in Heliopolis
5. A prayer meeting for the youth

Workshops had an important role in familiarizing the youth with their different roots:
1. Learning how to draw the Coptic Cross (the Yota)
2. Safina Creation Centre workshops
3. Visiting the Papal Central Library within the Papal Residence in St Bishoy’s Monastery
4. Workshops of “My Advancing Church” to learn about new ideas for service

There was a service day in which 1500 boxes, 1000 school bags, 1000 healthcare bags and 200 desks were prepared. A proportion of them were distributed to neighbouring villages in King Mariut. The rest were given to the ‘Hayat Karima Initiative’ (honorable life) and a group of participants helped deliver the materials to the relevant villages.

His Holiness was keen for his Wednesday Sermon to be broadcast from the LOGOS Papal Center with the youth. A group of bishops were also present. His Holiness spoke about how one can become a godly person, and that a godly person is always joyful.

There was an official banquet in the Cathedral of the Nativity in the New Administrative Capital. This event was attended by:

1. H.E. Minister Nabila Makram: Minister of Immigration & Egyptian Expatriates Affairs
2. H.E. Minister Ashraf Sobhy: Minister of Youth and Sports
3. Major General Mohamed El-Sherif: Governor of Alexandria
4. Dr. Jackleen Azer: Deputy Governor of Alexandria
5. The heads of the committes of the Egyptian Parliament and Senate
6. Some members of the Egyptian Parliament and Senate
7. A group of businessmen

This banquet was held to honor the youth selected for the forum.

The forum’s programme included brainstorming and discussions. To listen to the youth’s opinions who were representing their dioceses, they were split into five groups to discuss topics which occupy the minds of the Church’s congregation and leaders. These were:
1. Youth & Nation
2. Youth & Arts
3. Youth & Media
4. Youth & Family
5. Youth & Service

Through three preparatory sittings preceding the concluding sitting, the youth discussed the five topics from all aspects. They wrote a final report which was presented to His Holiness in the concluding meeting.
His Holiness was keen to attend the concluding sitting himself and listen to the youth’s opinions about the previously mentioned topics.
Finally, the forum’s closing ceremony was held in the Logos Papal Residence, in the presence of His Holiness and a group of bishops and priests. The youth were given souvenirs and certificates of participation.

The LOGOS Coptic Youth Forum aims to deliver joy to youth through lived experience. To find Christ and love amongst all the world’s hustle. To know our nation and ancestor’s strong roots which were watered by our fathers.
To Our God be all the glory and honor, now and forever. Amen.