On Saturday, 9th of July 2022, His Beatitude Youssef Al-Absi, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, concluded his visit to Germany by meeting the Melkite Youth in Germany.

The meeting included an open discussion, during which His Beatitude discussed with the Christian youth in Germany their current situation and the challenges they face in their lives.

Firstly, the youth greeted His Beatitude with the accompanying delegation:
His Eminence Yasser Ayash- Archbishop and Patriarchal Vicar of Jerusalem,
The Most Reverend Archimandrite Chihade Abboud- the Patriarchal Commissioner at the Holy See,
and The Reverend Father Rami Wakim- the Director of the Patriarchal Bureau.

The meeting took place in Marienthal Monastery in the German state, Rhineland-Palatinate. While the scout band played joyful music, His Beatitude received a bouquet of flowers to welcome his gracious visit.

The Most Reverend Archimandrite Mayas Abboud, the priest in charge of the Melkite Church in Germany greeted His Beatitude with an opening speech. Thereafter, His Beatitude listened to the speech of the youth coordinator, Michel Kreit, in which he focused on various points:

• He focused on the constant readiness of the youth to stay engaged with the church, especially when the church takes a serious initiative, by communicating with the youth.
• The speech included a detailed presentation of the stages of establishing the Melkite Youth, from being a mere idea until its full realization, represented currently by two hundred young women and men all over Germany. It addressed as well all the difficulties and challenges faced by the youth during its founding journey and the pivotal role of the spiritual father of the youth, Archimandrite Mayas Abboud. Believing that the youth is the foundation stone on which the Christian family and the future of the Church are built, Father Mayas insisted on going on with this project despite the difficulties. Through his unlimited support for the youth and their ideas and through his devotion by being there for them, his plans came to fruition.
• Michel Kreit concluded his speech by inviting Archimandrite Mayas Abboud to hand over the emblem of the Melkite Youth in Germany to his Beatitude. The emblem was handmade specifically to His Beatitude in the name of all the youth, as an expression of their pleasure with the first meeting and as a further confirmation of their readiness for constant communication. The emblem further emphasized their willingness to welcome his Beatitude in upcoming visits that serve the interest of the church and its members.

After the speech, a prayer and a procession in the monastery took place followed by a meeting between His Beatitude and members of the Melkite Youth, during which he listened to the experience of some members and the role of this organization in their lives since for them it is a source of optimism and true joy. It also holds special value in their hearts, reminding them of their identity and comforting them in their solitude. The youth had then the chance to ask his Beatitude questions in an open and fatherly conversation. The day came to an end as His Beatitude shared dinner with the youth in a joyful and comfortable atmosphere.

On the following day, the Melkite Youth participated in the holy liturgy in the monastery. The holy liturgy was headed by His Beatitude and was attended by a large group of members and families of the parish from central Germany. In his homily, His Beatitude expressed his love and encouragement to the Melkite Youth, congratulating them on their integration into the new society and at the same time saluting their adherence to their affiliation to their home church. He asked them to look ahead and participate effectively in building themselves and the society in which they live while preserving their culture and identity.

During the liturgy, His Beatitude granted Father Mayas Abboud the rank of Archimandrite and granted brother Ossama Mossleh the rank of Deacon, asking God to grant them success in their service. At the end of the holy liturgy, His Beatitude met the believers from the parish and gave them his blessing.

Text: Wajd Assaf
Translation: Rita Kreit