On Orthodox Youth Day, Bishop Damaschin of Dorna, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți, encouraged young people to think differently, resist conforming to societal trends, and uphold Christian values.
“Do not be afraid to be different, to stand out from the trend, to distinguish yourselves—without judging those who think, speak, and live differently,” the bishop told young Orthodox Christians during his sermon on Sunday at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Iași, where the celebration coincided with the church’s historic patronal feast.
A Call for Spiritual Clarity and Moral Courage
Bishop Damaschin urged youth to embrace spiritual strength and reject the pressures of conformity, citing the Gospel of the day and the teachings of Saint Paul:
“For God’s sake, set yourselves apart, think clearly, do not conform, step out of the line, stand against the tide if necessary!”
He emphasized that such a mindset preserves true freedom, allowing believers to live by faith rather than societal expectations:
“Do not let your freedom be stolen—value it for the love of God! Think beautifully, think purely, so that beauty and purity can overcome the world’s ugliness, lies, and corruption.”
Thinking Differently from the World
Drawing from the words of Saint Paul, the assistant bishop reminded the faithful of their calling to be distinct from a world that does not follow God:
“How do we stand apart? Do we physically withdraw into isolation, the mountains, and the desert? That is a calling for a few, but for most, we must remain in the world while thinking and living differently.”
He called on Orthodox youth to cultivate a mindset aligned with Christ, focusing on humility and service to others:
“The Lord teaches us that we must think differently, prioritizing those around us over ourselves. In times of confusion, we need those who can think clearly.”
Faith, Clarity, and God’s Blessing
Bishop Damaschin encouraged young people to adopt the mind of Christ, resisting worldly passions and seeking God’s guidance in their thoughts and actions:
“God seeks people who think clearly, whose minds are blessed, in whom He can dwell. Set yourselves apart from ways of thinking that do not follow God.”
He concluded with a blessing for the courage to be different: “O Lord, blessed be the bold spirit that dares to be different, that strives to stand firm in faith!”
A Youth-Led Celebration
The service was enriched by the participation of Orthodox youth organizations from the Archdiocese of Iași, including ASCOR, ATOR, and Students for Life, along with the Friends of the Three Holy Hierarchs Association.
Later in the day, the Archdiocese’s Youth Mission Department hosted an evening of prayer at Saint George’s Old Cathedral, followed by a spiritual conference led by Archimandrite Nicodim Petre at the Iași Metropolitan Complex.
Orthodox Youth Day
Orthodox Youth Day was established in 1992 during the 14th General Assembly of Syndesmos – The World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth, receiving the blessing of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Photo: Doxologia.ro / Flavius Popa
