Sofia, February 9, 2026
Suprasl: A World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth
From January 30 to February 3, the Kremikovtsi Monastery near Sofia hosted the 2026 celebration of the World Day of Orthodox Youth. The event was jointly organized by SUPRASL (A World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth), the Bulgarian Orthodox Youth Community, and the Romanian pro-life organization ASCOR Iași, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria.
More than 60 young people from various countries, including Israel and the United States, took part in the international gathering, Suprasl reports.
The event was coordinated by Archdeacon Joseph Matusiak, Sophia Chiriac (SUPRASL), Cristina Ciobanu (ASCOR Iași), and Martin Boyanov and Hristiyan Ivanov of the Bulgarian Orthodox Youth Community, with the pastoral support of His Grace Bishop Meletiy of Znepol.
Participants were welcomed into the monastery with a program centered on prayer, discussion, and shared activities. The opening sessions highlighted SUPRASL’s mission of fostering unity among Orthodox youth across national and cultural boundaries.
Suprasl: A World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth
The first full day focused on the Church’s mission in contemporary society. Fr. Seraphim, abbot of Kremikovtsi Monastery, presented the monastery’s social and pastoral work, including ministries serving people with disabilities and children facing mental health challenges. Additional reflections were offered by Fr. Paul Dinkov and his wife Lorice, who spoke about sharing faith through everyday encounters. The day also included a tour of the historic monastery and a hike in the surrounding area.
Vespers marked the 130th anniversary of the birth of St. Sophrony the Athonite of Essex, with the Jesus Prayer recited in seven languages. The evening concluded with a cultural program featuring traditional food, music, and dances from the participants’ home countries.
On Sunday, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated with multilingual responses. After an agape meal, Fr. Nicodim of ASCOR Iași led a discussion on personal spiritual growth, followed by a creative workshop. Great Vespers for the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord was celebrated later that evening, along with small-group discussions on faith and vocation.
The final day coincided with both the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord and the World Day of Orthodox Youth. Bishop Meletiy of Znepol celebrated the festal Divine Liturgy and later delivered a talk on community and solitude in Christian life, drawing on the writings of St. Sophrony. Participants also visited historic churches in Sofia and a children’s social rehabilitation center operated by the monastery.
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