On Monday, December 22, youth from across the Eastern American & Canadian Dioceses donned their winter outerwear and began their trek by automobile, train, and plane to the capital of New York State – Albany – for the start of the 46th Annual St. Herman Youth Conference.

On Tuesday morning, December 23, the young people took turns reading Morning Prayers before the myrrh-streaming Hawaiian Iveron Icon of the Mother of God. Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada greeted the 200-strong gathering of youth, welcoming many attending the conference for the first time. In his remarks, he stressed the most important aspect of the conference is to confess one’s sins and partake of Christ’s Holy Mysteries at Divine Liturgy later in the week.

After breakfast, the conference program began with the day’s keynote lecture by Archpriest Peter Perekrestov (dean of Our Lady "Joy of All Who Sorrow" Diocesan Cathedral in San Francisco, CA) entitled "The Aroma of Holiness: The Legacy of the Russian Church Abroad." After his lecture, he presented his film, which featured live recordings of the Holy Hierarch John,  Wonderworker of Shanghai & San Francisco.

After the keynote presentation, the young people broke up into smaller discussion groups led by diocesan clergy.

In the afternoon, all made the short drive to the parish hall, where the sisterhood prepared a sumptuous lunch.

Later, the day’s second keynote by Subdeacon Nicholas Ganson, entitled "Embracing Mystery, Escaping Ideology: A Spiritual & Historical Reflection."

At night, the youth attended a bonfire.

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On Wednesday, December 24, the work of the St. Herman Youth Conference continued.

The highlight of the day was a lecture by Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse, wherein he discussed the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI) as it relates to an Orthodox Christian.

The young people continued in their various discussion groups before departing for church.

Throughout the day, they were able to venerate the Hawaiian-Iveron Icon and, later, the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, accompanied by the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad – Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York.