Youth and Young Adult Sunday 2026
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
September 27, 2026
Youth and Young Adult Sunday
Dear Beloved in Christ,
God bless you always!
This year the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America has designated September 27 as Youth and Young Adult Sunday.
Saint Paul wrote to young Timothy, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lo′is and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you.” (2 Timothy 1:5). Timothy did not come to faith merely on his own. He was raised in it, with people who were willing to be present, like his mother and grandmother. This is the quiet work of every youth worker, godparent, and parent who shows up week after week, nurturing the seeds of faith in our children.
Responding to the biblical call to raise our children in the faith, the Assembly of Bishops established Orthodox Youth and Young Adult Ministries (OYM). OYM provides many resources including Ministry Support Coordinators on the ground to connect youth workers, What’s Your Ministry? website for the curation of youth ministry resources from across jurisdictions, and online training such as the Removing the Veil ministry course and The Godparent Project.
On this Youth and Young Adult Sunday, let us pray for the youth workers, clergy, and volunteers giving their time so freely to the next generation. Let us stay present with your young people, in the way Lois and Eunice stayed present with Timothy, so that the faith handed to us might be handed on again.
Yours in Christ,
†Bishop Thomas
Episcopal Liaison to Orthodox Youth and Young Adult Ministries