Patriarchal Monastery of Saint George Al-Humayrah
The first day of the “Ana Icon” ( I am an icon) gathering began today with the participation of around 80 young men and women from various Syrian dioceses.
The event started with a welcome reception carrying a clear message: the preparations can only be complete with the presence of the youth, who are the heart of the gathering.
After that, participants were offered a tour of the monastery, followed by the spiritual opening of the event with the Vespers service and the official inauguration.
His Grace Patriarchal Vicar Bishop Romanos Al-Hannat introduced the event by explaining the purpose of these patriarchal gatherings, held with the blessing of His Beatitude John X. The participants also listened to testimonies from young people who had taken part in this experience in previous years and spoke of its lasting impact on their hearts.
The teams then began to take shape, and during the delegations’ evening gathering, each delegation expressed the identity of its diocese in its own unique way, through joy, creativity, and diverse talents.
The first day marked the beginning of the story: a story of young people coming together and searching side by side for a truth summed up in the words of the gathering’s hymn:
“Search in Genesis and see,
Ask your Maker, “Who am I to be?”
God so loved and shaped the world anew,
His Spirit brought the clay to life for you”.
