While much of the Western world celebrated Christmas, Orthodox youth from the Russian Church Abroad participated in the annual St. Herman Youth Conference. Nearly 200 youth traveled to Toronto, Canada to attend the conference hosted this year by Holy Trinity Church, which took place December 23-27.

Participants traveled with passports in hand on planes, trains, ferries, and cars from 22 U.S. states, four Canadian provinces, and even Australia. In fact, this was the largest conference in recent memory; conference registration filled up earlier than anyone expected, and the church hall was at maximum capacity.

The theme of this year’s conference was "Orthodoxy in Alaska." The conference opened with a keynote lecture by Hieromonk Andrew (Wermuth) on the Russian Mission in Alaska. Fr. Andrew serves as rector of St. Michael Skete on Spruce Island, AK (Serbian Orthodox Church).

The youth participated in various roundtable discussions in smaller groups (in English and in Russian) led by participating clergy, with topics including Orthodox dating and marriage, Orthodox perspectives on life and death, softening of the heart, youth involvement in the Church, and others.

The youth also participated in more light-hearted "social" workshops, such as wooden egg painting, folk songs, Christmas ornament decorating, calligraphy, and even coffeemaking.

Of course, the divine services marked the high point of the conference. The All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy services for Venerable Herman of Alaska were officiated by Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York. Serving alongside the First Hierarch were Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada, as well as the following clergy:

• Archpriest Vladimir Malchenko (parish rector)
• Archpriest David Straut (rector of St. Elizabeth the New Martyr Church in Rocky Hill, NJ)
• Archpriest Michael Crowley (dean of New England)
• Archpriest George Lagodich (dean of St. Nicholas Diocesan Cathedral in Montreal, QC)
• Hieromonk Andrew (Wermuth; rector of St. Michael the Archangel Serbian Skete in Ouzinkie, AK)
• Archpriest Valery Chemschi (cleric of St. Nicholas Diocesan Cathedral)
• Archpriest Alexis Duncan (rector of Nativity of the Mother of God Church in Albany, NY)
• Archpriest Viatcheslav Davidenko (cathedral cleric)
• Archpriest Michael Metni (cleric of St. Nicholas Diocesan Cathedral)
• Hieromonk Spyridon (Gusakov; rector of St. John of Shanghai Church in Calgary, AB)
• Archpriest John Johnson (rector of St. Thecla Church in Kensington, MD)
• Archpriest Jonah Campbell (rector of Christ the Savior Church in Wayne, WV)
• Priest Alexei Pjawka (rector of Holy Protection Memorial Church in Ottawa, ON)
• Priest Damian Dantinne (cleric of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC)
• Priest Mark Luimes (rector of Our Lady of Pochaev Mission in Niagara, ON)
• Priest Dimitry Chemeris (rector of Holy Protection Church in Hamilton, ON)
• Priest Jeremiah Davis (cleric of St. Matrona of Moscow Mission in Lexington, KY)
• Protodeacon Alexander Morin (cathedral cleric)
• Protodeacon Andrei Garine (cleric of Holy Dormition Church in McKeesport, PA)
• Deacon Seth Davidenko (cathedral cleric)
• Deacon George Luimes (cleric of Our Lady of Pochaev Mission) and
• Deacon Nikolaos Kontogiannis (cleric of St. Nicholas Church in Endicott, NY)

During the Little Entrance, Priest Mark Luimes was awarded the right to wear the kamilavka. Nearly every participant partook in confession and Holy Communion.

Even with limited rehearsal time in the conference schedule, the youth sang the hierarchal services prayerfully and beautifully under the masterful direction of Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky.

Following Liturgy, the clergy hosted a Q&A panel with questions from the youth. Later that day, in line with the conference theme, the attendees attended a special screening of the recently released documentary "Sacred Alaska," highlighting Russian Orthodoxy in Alaska. The youth then enjoyed free time in downtown Toronto with dinner and socialization.

Fr. Serge Arlievsky presented the second keynote lecture, with an informative presentation on the Julian & Gregorian Calendars.

The young men and women were then split apart accordingly for discussions on Orthodox manhood and Orthodox womanhood, led by Archpriest Michael Crowley and Matushka Patricia Klar, respectively.

At the final banquet prepared by the sisterhood, the hierarchs presented jeweled crosses to Frs. Vladimir Malchenko and Viatcheslav Davidenko, in appreciation for hosting this year’s conference.

Indeed, this conference would not have been possible without the generous support of the Fund for Assistance to ROCOR, as well as the efforts of many in the Toronto parish, especially the sisterhood who so generously prepared delicious meals for the attendees throughout the conference. The sisterhood was presented with an icon of the Myrrh-bearing Women, along with other gifts.

In accordance with conference tradition, following the "drumroll" and much anticipation, Archbishop Gabriel announced the location of next year’s host parish: the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God parish in Albany, NY.

The conference concluded with a talent show showcasing the many talents of our youth, with acts ranging from singing, saxophone, guitar, comedy, ballet, and violin.

The following morning, the youth departed Toronto by plane, train, ferry, and car with fond farewells, new friends, and anticipation of once again meeting next year in Albany.