YAL San Diego 2022 – One other Shining Success
By George Anagnostopoulos

What occurs when 585 younger adults from 33 states COMMIT to their religion, vocation and life? They kind a robust drive that can lead our church and protect our religion for generations to return! COMMIT was the theme for the 2022 Younger Grownup League (YAL) Convention hosted by the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco over Labor Day weekend in San Diego, California. Led by Convention Chairman George T. Anagnostopoulos, the younger grownup planning committee was dedicated to offering an unparalleled and balanced weekend for his or her fellow friends. The 4 cornerstones of the YAL ministry – Witness, Worship, Service, and Fellowship – have been absolutely demonstrated all through the Convention, and the younger adults embraced each alternative to be immersed in rising of their religion and discovering their non secular dwelling within the Church.

His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos shared with the convention delegates, “COMMIT might solely be a six-letter phrase, but it surely comes with a fantastic accountability, and one which I problem you to hold after the convention. We’re not simply Orthodox Christians on Sundays once we attend Divine Liturgy. We’re not simply Orthodox Christians for the weekend of the YAL Convention. We’re Orthodox Christians each day of our lives – that’s what we should COMMIT to, and we should try to satisfy that dedication by means of our ideas, phrases and deeds. This convention is just the start of your dedication to Christ. Take what has been shared with you, take to coronary heart the teachings you might have discovered, and observe the trail to salvation.” 

The Convention was headlined by keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Christopher Flesoras of Saint Anna Greek Orthodox Church in Roseville, CA who provided a thought-provoking presentation on the theme “Commit”. Along with his parish ministry, Father Christopher can be a Chaplain Main with the California Air Nationwide Guard 195th Wing, and the Affiliate Dean of College students at Hellenic School Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Faculty of Theology. Father Christopher emphasised that “both by advantage of 1’s baptism and chrismation, we’re dedicated to Christ”. Nonetheless “in case you are targeted and dedicated you might be agile, you possibly can pivot and you’ll belief. God is at all times current, it’s simply whether or not you wish to discover Him or not and that’s the selection all of us have day by day.” Father Christopher went on to remind the younger adults it doesn’t matter in case you are a priest, lay particular person or younger grownup, every particular person can decide to God each single day. After lunch, younger adults have been grouped by age and had the chance to satisfy new pals and forge new relationships with their friends from throughout the nation. 

In his remarks to the attendees YAL Convention Chairman George T. Anagnostopoulos emphasised the significance of profiting from the weekend and iterated “I problem you to commit your self to one thing, apart from your job or your research. Give of your self absolutely; you’ll be happier, extra effectively balanced and dwell a extra profitable and full life, and one you can look again on and be happy with. As a result of ultimately, your function on this earth shall be outlined by what and the way a lot you select to commit. The selection is yours. So, ‘Allow us to commit ourselves and our entire life to Christ Our God’”. 

Friday night transported the convention contributors again to 1999 and this Y2K themed occasion introduced again the sights and sounds of the brand new millennium.

On Saturday, the Metropolis of San Francisco Household Wellness Ministry group hosted a panel titled “Getting Love Proper!”.  Household Wellness Ministry Director George Papageorge acknowledged, “We’re created for connection and once we join with folks we really feel extra alive. However there are lots of sorts of relationships, wholesome and people that aren’t and we’re going to focus on each at the moment in a sensible sense.” 

After the panel concluded, small breakout teams breakouts have been led by Papageorge, Father Tom and Presv. Pat Tsagalakis, Father James and Presv. Donna Pappas  Fr. Christopher Flesoras, Fr. Gary Kyriacou, Father Christoper and Presv. Kalli Retelas, and Johanna Carter. In small teams, contributors mentioned what a Christ-centered relationship seems to be like in at the moment’s society and shared their private tales and struggles on this matter. Rising nearer to the religion first, together with one other particular person, was emphasised as essential for any robust foundational relationship. 

Throughout Saturday’s lunch, Archon Regional Commanders Hon. Steven G. Counelis (Southern California) and Dr. Gregory G. Papadeas (Metropolis of Denver) launched the convention attendees to the threats to worldwide spiritual freedom, and to the foremost points confronting the Ecumenical Patriarchate. This was an enlightening presentation for the younger adults to study concerning the important and difficult circumstances dealing with our Mom Church.

As a central pillar of YAL, service was once more a key part of the weekend. This yr’s Diakonia undertaking was as soon as once more sponsored by Metropolis Philoptochos, persevering with the multi-year partnership between YAL and Philoptochos. This yr the women of Philoptochos and younger adults assembled 550 care packages for the homeless Veterans of San Diego by means of a neighborhood charity known as “Braveness to Name, San Diego 211”. Metropolis Philoptochos President Jeannie Ranglas and a number of other members of the Philoptochos Board labored hand in hand with the younger adults and constructed bonds of friendship and collaboration.

After giving again to the San Diego Group, it was time for  “Prime Gun YAL”, the headline occasion of the weekend. Named with the basic film in thoughts, this maritime occasion was aboard the 900 foot USS Halfway Plane Provider within the San Diego Bay. Protecting with the theme, contributors wore their aviators, bomber jackets, flight fits, and customized Prime Gun YAL patches for a as soon as in a lifetime night. Attendees had the chance to take photographs with “California Maverick”, tour the expansive flight deck and leap into actual fighter jets and naval plane on board. After dinner and dessert, attendees headed downstairs to the ‘hangar bay’ the place DJ Gus Sverkos was again taking part in all of the basic rock from the 80’s together with basic Greek music. 

Sunday morning started with the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, presided by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, together with His Grace Bishop Ioannis of Phocaea, and a number of other space clergy. That afternoon YAL contributors loved the attractive Coronado Seaside for lunch, actions, video games, music, and the refreshing ocean.

The ultimate occasion of the weekend was the “007 Bond Gala”. Attendees wore tuxedos and robes as they took half within the formal gala dinner and program adopted by a Dwell Greek Musician glendi. Younger grownup musicians performed music from Crete, Thraki, Peloponnesos and Pontos. Tons of of younger adults holding fingers collectively demonstrated the unity and love this group developed by means of the weekend as they danced to the music below conventional string lighting, and it was an ideal option to finish the Convention weekend. The brand new Consul Basic of Greece in Los Angeles Ioannis Stamatekos additionally attended the convention and provided a greeting to the younger adults on the banquet. Having simply arrived on the west coast a couple of weeks earlier, it was a beautiful alternative for Mr. Stamatekos to grow to be engaged within the lifetime of the Metropolis and study concerning the vibrancy of the YAL motion.

Archon Hon. Steven and Mrs. Stacia Counelis provided the next, “As Advisors to the YAL Convention Ministry since 2018, we’re exceptionally happy that Greek Orthodox Younger Adults from all through our Metropolis of San Francisco, and each different Metropolis throughout the Nation, have accepted the invitation to return collectively in Worship, Fellowship, Witness and Service. Convention Chairman George Anagnostopoulos has, for the fourth yr in a row,  efficiently led a dedicated group of younger adults that resulted in a strong program. We thank His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos for his paternal love and help of the Younger Adults and this Ministry. We additionally thank the Metropolis Council and Employees for his or her continued help of this important Ministry of our Church.”

Particular due to George T. Anagnostopoulos who has served because the YAL Convention Chairman since 2019. The Government Committee members for 2022 have been: Joseph Dumont, Christos Kyriazi, Penelope Kyriazi, Anastasia Matty, Yianna Papadeas, Aaron Papagalos, Grace Paris, Anastasia Pickett, Christos Schwarz, Christine Scolinos, Marina Settelmayer, and Jenny Walters.

For extra data on the YAL Convention and the continued YAL In Your Yard regional occasions which are occurring all year long, please e-mail: [email protected].

See YAL quickly!