On Tuesday morning, December 24, the annual St. Herman Youth Conference opened in Holy Epiphany Church in Roslindale (Boston), MA. This year over 170 young men and women are taking part in the conference, some traveling thousands of miles from across the Eastern American and Canadian Dioceses.

Greeting the youth following a short moleben, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada, chairman of the St. Herman Executive Committee, noted the importance of the conference as a place where young people can gather yearly and interact on subjects of interest to them. His Eminence also drew attention to the significant events in the life of the Church being commemorated this coming year. This year’s conference is dedicated to the life and teachings of Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose; +1982).

The day’s keynote speaker, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse, delivered a lecture on the topic "The Role of Culture in Forming the Orthodox Life."

The same day, the youth took part in workshops discussing various subjects, such as relationships, missionary work, and contemporary Orthodox issues, among others.

The youth then departed for the Holy Epiphany Church, where Archbishop Gabriel led the All-Night Vigil, co-served by Bishop Luke and parish, diocesan, and visiting clergy.