KURSK: July 21, 2010
The Second and Third Days of the “Concord of Orthodox Youth” Conference 

The second day of the “Concord of Orthodox Youth” conference, July 20, 2010, was filled with overall enthusiasm. The young pilgrims headed for Kursk-Root Hermitage for “obediences” [assigned tasks]. The young men helped till the garden, and young women helped clean the monastery cathedral. 

After lunch, Protopriest Yaroslav Belikov of San Francisco’s Cathedral of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” had a talk with the youth on the topic of dating in the 21st century. The young conferees posed many questions on this vital topic. After dinner, the Belarussian delegation performed songs, dances and interesting stories from the Belarussion Orthodox Church.   

Wednesday, July 21, was the feast day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, and began with Divine Liturgy in Kursk-Root Hermitage. After the service, there was a procession of the cross to the Kazan wellspring, where an akathist was sung to the icon and a blessing of the waters. That evening, the members of the “Concord” group boarded buses to Moscow, and early Thursday morning flew to Paris, where the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, the Protectress of the Russian diaspora is now traveling.