The Estonian Orthodox Youth League, wich will assemble
youth of 14 up to 35 years from all Estonia was established
in Haapsalu yesterday and will be headed by Jüri
Ilves, the priest of Haapsalu.
The head of the Church, Metropolitan Stephanos, who
was present on the establishing meeting said that the
league is open to all young people and that the goal
of the league is to change the society livable morally
and ethically and to bring the youth back to a normal
society.
"Our Church is getting on its feet" priest
Jüri Ilves told " we have just got the primate
and the Church Administration. The next important step
is the youth work."
According to Ilves, there are few young people in the
parishes, because their life is not interesting there.
That is the reason why the Youth League was established.
It will co-ordinate youth work, publishing, educate,
organize conferences and to have communications with
outside world and media.
Accordind to the statute the members of the League are
youths of EAOC aged from 14 up to 35, but the participation
of other orthodox young people living in Estonia is
also not excluded.
Priests and youth of the EAOC from Värska, Võru,
Tartu, Tallinn, Viljandi district and Haapsalu.
Pärnu and Saaremaa were not represented.
