SYNDESMOS, The world Fellowship of Orthodox Youth

SYNDESMOS History

SYNDESMOS, The World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth, was founded in 1953 in Paris by a group of young theologians from Finland, France, Greece and Lebanon. Aspiring to serve as a bond of unity (Greek syndesmos) among Orthodox youth movements, organisa

SYNDESMOS history

Read Articles on SYNDESMOS History

"The Genesis of SYNDESMOS"
by Hildo Bos, acting President of SYNDESMOS

"Elements from the history and life of SYNDESMOS"
by Manos Koumbarelis, former President of SYNDESMOS 1999 - 2000

Previous logos of SYNDESMOS

Timeline, 1953 .... 2003

1953, 1st Assembly Sevres, France. Official founding of'SYNDESMOS, Service de Laison entre les Mouvements et Groupements de Jeunesse Orthodoxe'


1954, 2nd Assembly, Bievres near Paris. Greek and Syrian movements become affiliated members

1956, 3rd Assembly, Kyphissia, Athens Greece. 'SYNDESMOS, service of co-operation between the groups and movements of Orthodox youth,' Office transferred to Athens

1958, 4th Assembly, Salonika, Greece. Official blessing of Ecumenical Patriarch 16 members, including Japan and Korea. Decision to create an International Missionary Society in Greece under the responsibility of Mr. A. Yannoulatos (now Archibishop Anastasios of Albania)

1961, 5th Assembly, Beirut Lebanon. Creation of Inter-Orthodox Missionary Centre 'Porefthendes' Unofficial consultation with Oriental Orthodox theologians 'The Incarnate Logos'

1964, 6th Assembly, Punkaharju, Finland. Decision to allow theological schools to become members. Secretariat moves to Lebanon

1968, 7th Assembly, Rattvik, Sweden, 'Jesus Christ in a changing world'. Decision to allow Oriental Orthodox to become associate members

1971, 8th Assembly, Boston, USA, 'Worship in a secular age'

1977, 9th Assembly, Chambιsy, Switzerland, 'Thy Kingdom Come'

1980, 10th Assembly, Valaamo, Finland, 'Witness and Service'

1983, 11th Assembly, Crete, Greece, 'Unity and Mission'

1986, 12th Assembly, Effingham, England, 'The Church: an Eucharistic Community'

1989, 13th Assembly, Boston USA, 'Baptized into Christ, you have put on Christ'

1992, 14th Assembly, Moscow, Russia, 'For the Life of the World'

1995, 15th Assembly, Kykko Monastery, Cyprus, 'Let your light shine forth to all people'

1999, 16th Assembly, Valamo, Finland, 'Serve the Lord in Unity'

2003, [forthcoming], 17th Assembly, Durres, Albania, 50th Jubilee Celebration [go to the General Assembly page ...]