Estonia: Ecumenical Patriarch meets Estonian, Finnish youth

During his visit to the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church 26 October - 1 November 2000, His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I met with members of two SYNDESMOS member movements, the Fellowship of Orthodox Youth in Estonia and the Orthodox Youth Association of Finland [ONL]. On Saturday afternoon, nearly 100 young people gathered at the Church of the Trans- guration here for Vespers. After the service His All-Holi-ness received the youth. Also present for the meeting were His Eminence, Metropolitan Stephanos of Tallinn and All Estonia; His Eminence, Archbishop John of Finland; two other Finnish bishops; and members of the patriarchal delegation. The president of the Fellowship of Orthodox Youth in Estonia, Father Juri Ilves, welcomed His All-Holiness and his delegation and spoke about the youth work being accomplished in Estonia and about the close relationship and cooperation it shares with Finland's ONL. The Finnish youth delegation also greeted His All-Holiness. After Patriarch Bartholomew addressed the youth, a question and answer session was held. The meeting with His All-Holiness was a blessing for the youth of both Churches and provided tremendous encouragement for the work being done among and by them. The fatherly love and care which His All-Holiness showed to the youth and children during this meeting and throughout his visit to Estonia inspired the youth and the youth workers to continue their ministries for the building up the Church and for the glory of God