Kenyan Orthodox Youth launched the Churches Campaign against SGBV during their 2025 Syndesmos Day Celebrations
Joshua Kimani
On 2nd February 2025, 1250 orthodox youth gathered at the Hagia Sophia Cathedral at Makarios III Patriarchal Seminary in Nairobi for the 2025 celebrations of Syndesmos Day: The World Day of Orthodox Youth.
“This day serves as a time for young people within the Orthodox Church to celebrate their faith and heritage through worship, fellowship, and service.” Noted the Orthodox Christian Youth association of Kenya (OCYAK) Chairperson, Mr. James Gathiaka.
The occasion was graced by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Kenya, Orthodox and ecumenical youth leaders from different African countries, Kenyan government representatives, among others. Among OCYAK’s accomplishments on this day included launching the IMPACT-ing East Africa Initiative aimed at equipping orthodox youth leaders with the necessary skills for impactful missionary work, and the Churches Campaign Against SGBV in Africa with the theme, ‘Let Love lead: End GBV Now!’.
In his message to the gathering, the AACC Executive Secretary for Youth, Brian Muyunga Celebrated the Orthodox youth of Kenya for their passion and commitment to the ecumenical movement, and their leadership in its work for gender justice and human dignity. While affirming their potential to positively transform the narrative of Gender Justice and equality in Africa, he urged them to take the launch of the Churches campaign against SGBV as a moment of renewed commitment, and a sacred pledge to shun and bring an end to all forms of religious and cultural norms, teachings and practices that perpetuate violence and inequality.
Brian described the Orthodox Youth's Agency for social transformation as a very important form of active citizenship. He encouraged them to participate in the upcoming All Africa Youth Congress on the theme, 'Africa: My Home. My Future.,’ noting that the congress is organized for such transformative Christian youth leaders.
In the Photo: Some of the participants in the youth walk to mark OCYAK's launch of the Churches Campaign Against SGBV in Africa. [Credit: Joshua Kimani]
