23rd Conference of Russian Orthodox Youth
The 23rd Conference of Russian Orthodox Youth, Our roots – 1000 years of Russian Orthodoxy, was held with the blessing of His Grace, Archbishop Paul (Pavlov) of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand in Geelong in 1987. The conference took place over December 25 to 30 at the Marcus Oldham Farm College. Fr Gabriel (Makarov), the parish priest of the Joy of All Who Sorrow, was the coordinator of the conference.
A significant event for all participants of the conference was the arrival at the conference of the Kursk-Root icon of the Mother of God, brought to the conference by Archbishop Paul (Pavlov).
The topics of lectures, delivered at the conference, were of broad variety:
- An ancient Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God in the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad. (Archbishop Paul Pavlov).
- Pre-St Vladimir - the First Thousand Years. (Father Michael Protopopov).
- St Vladimir – His Path to the Throne of Russia and the Throne of Heaven. (Romil G. Zhukov).
- The Life of St Sergey and His Influence on Russian Spirituality. (Father Nicolay Dalinkevich).
- The Development of Church Singing in the Orthodox Church. (Father Archimandrite Alexey Rosentool).
- The Development of Russian Iconography. (Antonina V. Ganina).
- The Royal Family. (Father Peter Sheko).
- The Russian Orthodox Church Abroad. (Archbishop Paul Pavlov).
- The Participation of Russian Youth in the Rebirth of Russia. (M. Danilevsky).
Participants of the conference did not have reason to be bored. Besides interesting and substantive lectures, attendees of the conference were treated to picnics, a barbecue, a talent quest (the winners of which received prizes) and a bonfire.
Sponsors of the conference were Vinera Homes (Geelong), Makarov Plastering (Sydney), Malishev Constructions (Geelong), E. Pervuhin Plastering (Geelong), ANZ Bank (East Geelong), Tret Plastering (Melbourne, Dandenong), Springer Australia (West Geelong, Anglesea).