Poway, California, February 25, 2026
dowoca.org
Nearly 40 young adults from across the Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of the West gathered at St. John of Damascus Church in Poway, California for a three-day inaugural Young Adult Summit recently.
The event featured the active participation of His Grace Bishop Vasily, diocesan hierarch, and included divine services, discussions on vocations and the spiritual life, a community service project, and fellowship throughout San Diego County, the diocese reports.
The summit opened Thursday evening with a social mixer, followed by an opening prayer service led by Bp. Vasily. Speakers included Jason Oneida, director of alumni initiatives for CrossRoad Institute, who addressed discerning purpose in life, and Dimitrios Rentel, a seminarian at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, who led a session on active parish engagement.
A panel discussion touched on living as Orthodox Christians in the 21st century, addressing topics such as artificial intelligence and ministry to those who have fallen away from the faith. Panelists included Bp. Vasily, diocesan chancellor Archpriest Kirill Sokolov, and Archpriest Michael Anderson, chair of the diocesan youth ministries department.
The keynote address was delivered by Archpriest Josiah Trenham of St. Andrew Antiochian Orthodox Church in Riverside, who spoke on conscience and the spiritual life.
Participants also took part in a service project in downtown San Diego in partnership with Blue Wagon Ministry, distributing food and basic necessities to those in need.
Liturgical services throughout the weekend included Compline, the Divine Liturgy, and Great Vespers. On Sunday, summit participants joined the clergy and faithful of St. John of Damascus Church for Bp. Vasily’s parish visitation.
The summit was organized as part of the diocese’s Thriving Parishes Project. Plans are underway for future young adult gatherings across the diocese.
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