Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • ‘The heart of Orthodox monasticism’: Historic monasteries on Mount Athos damaged by earthquakes
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate Issues Statement on Status of Saint Catherine Monastery of Sinai
    • Council of Nicaea anniversary is call to Christian unity, speakers say
    • Call for Nominations: 2025 Medal of Saint Theodora Award
    • Save the Date: October 11, 2025 – Frederica Mathewes-Green to Headline OCL’s 38th Annual Conference
    • Metropolitan Elder Dimitrios of the Princes’ Islands Named Honorary Doctor in Athens
    • Fordham’s Orthodox Christian Studies Center Annual Benefit Reception on June 16
    • Saint-Sophia-Seminary-Quarterly-No. 2
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
    • Home
    • OCL
      • About OCL
      • Leadership
      • OCL News
      • OCL Publications
      • Focused Study and Research Topics
      • OCL Archives at DePaul University
    • Orthodox News & Links
      • Orthodox News Stories
      • Headlines & News Archives
      • Governance & Unity
        • Governance Top Stories
        • Governance & Unity Essays
        • Grassroots Unity in Action
      • OCL Forums
      • Orthodox Christian Laity News
      • Web Links
    • Audio & Video
      • Audio Index
      • Video Index
    • Contact
    • Make a Donation
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    You are at:Home»Orthodox News»IOCC Conference Cultivates Service Leadership of Orthodox Youth

    IOCC Conference Cultivates Service Leadership of Orthodox Youth

    1
    By Webmaster on September 5, 2014 Orthodox News, Orthodox News Top Stories
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Telegram WhatsApp Copy Link
    Serve-X-Treme Youth Leadership Conference participants, Olena, Christianna, and Jimmy help construct a home in Minneapolis with Habitat for Humanity as the new homeowner, Petr, looks on in gratitude. Along with workshops led by Orthodox community leaders, 25 teens representing pan-Orthodox youth from around the US also spent time participating in hands-on service projects in local soup kitchens, shelters and building projects. The conference was designed to promote youth service leadership through community service activities and instruction focused on building a better understanding of Orthodox ethics as well as practical approaches to community outreach. photo: Dan Christopulos / IOCC
    Serve-X-Treme Youth Leadership Conference participants, Olena, Christianna, and Jimmy help construct a home in Minneapolis with Habitat for Humanity as the new homeowner, Petr, looks on in gratitude. Along with workshops led by Orthodox community leaders, 25 teens representing pan-Orthodox youth from around the US also spent time participating in hands-on service projects in local soup kitchens, shelters and building projects. The conference was designed to promote youth service leadership through community service activities and instruction focused on building a better understanding of Orthodox ethics as well as practical approaches to community outreach. photo: Dan Christopulos / IOCC

    Source: International Orthodox Christian Charities

    Baltimore, MD (IOCC) — When record rainfall drenched the Midwest in July and triggered massive flooding of communities across Minnesota and Iowa, teen volunteers from St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis were among the dozen members of an International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) Orthodox Action Team who traveled to the hard-hit Iowa town of Rock Rapids to help an elderly flood survivor clear away waterlogged debris from his home. Orthodox Christian youth across the U.S. also have a history of eagerly volunteering their time and energy to assist IOCC in helping families rebuild and repair storm-damaged homes, and assemble emergency kits for disaster survivors.

    IOCC is fostering this philanthropic spirit among Orthodox youth with the launch of its inaugural Serv-X-Treme! Youth Leadership Conference, held recently in Minneapolis. More than two dozen teen delegates, appointed by their respective hierarch and representing the pan-Orthodox community from around the country, came together for a week to engage in meaningful opportunities to serve others while developing a better understanding of Orthodox Christian philanthropy and diakonia, or service.

    Along with workshops led by Orthodox community leaders, including a keynote address by the well-known Orthodox author, Reverend Anthony M. Coniaris, the teens also spent time in the community participating in hands-on service projects. A highlight of the service projects came on a day when the participants helped construct a home with Habitat for Humanity and had the opportunity to interact with the homeowners, new Minnesota residents from Ethiopia and the Ukraine. The week concluded with each participant signing a pledge committing them to continue seeking out service opportunities and encouraging others to do the same, within the framework of an Orthodox understanding of such diakonia.

    Serv-X-Treme Conference coordinator and IOCC U.S. Country Representative, Dan Christopulos, says the conference, made possible with the generous support of an IOCC donor, was

    IOCC is fostering the philanthropic spirit among Orthodox youth with the launch of its inaugural Serv-X-Treme! Youth Leadership Conference. More than two dozen youths representing the U.S. pan-Orthodox community came together for a week in Minneapolis to engage in meaningful opportunities to serve others while developing a better understanding of Orthodox Christian philanthropy. photo: Dan Christopulos / IOCC
    IOCC is fostering the philanthropic spirit among Orthodox youth with the launch of its inaugural Serv-X-Treme! Youth Leadership Conference. More than two dozen youths representing the U.S. pan-Orthodox community came together for a week in Minneapolis to engage in meaningful opportunities to serve others while developing a better understanding of Orthodox Christian philanthropy. photo: Dan Christopulos / IOCC

    designed to promote youth service leadership through community service activities and instruction focused on building a better understanding of Orthodox ethics as well as practical approaches to community outreach. “Our intention is for these Orthodox youth to take this new-found knowledge, return to their parishes with a zeal for diakonia and take the lead in building a strong network of service throughout our country’s Orthodox Christian community,” said Christopulos.

    Participants Christianna Konstans and Kamal Hourani reflected on the week-long gathering and the opportunity to learn more about improving communities. “During my time at the

    IOCC Serv-X-Treme conference, what impacted me most were the various ways that I could serve that I had never thought of, as well as better ways to serve in things I had already been doing. The incredible fellowship with people that were willing to serve was unlike anything I had ever experienced, “said Konstans. “The Serv-X-Treme Conference reignited my desire to serve those who are suffering and sharpened my awareness of the demands of effective social work,” added Hourani. “It was a true blessing to share in this conference with fellow Orthodox teens from different states, jurisdictions, and backgrounds. They all have become dear friends and my co-laborers’ in Christ’s vineyard.”

    The Serv-X-Treme! Youth Leadership Conference is part of a broader effort by IOCC to develop the Orthodox Christian Action Network (Orthodox CAN!), a US-based initiative to nurture and activate the Orthodox community’s value of philanthropy through volunteerism across all age groups. The multi-pronged program also promotes and supports an Orthodox Christian Emergency Response Network (ERN) of more than 100 clergy and laity members, trained through a grant from the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment, to respond in times of disaster, and the development of volunteer opportunities through parish-based community service projects such as emergency kit assembly and emergency preparedness.

    ABOUT INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES
    IOCC is the official humanitarian aid agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. Since its inception in 1992, IOCC has delivered $488 million in relief and development programs to families and communities in more than 50 countries. IOCC is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of more than 140 churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy, and a member of InterAction, the largest alliance of U.S.–based secular and faith-based organizations working to improve the lives of the world’s most poor and vulnerable populations. To learn more about IOCC, visit www.iocc.org.

    [subscribe2]

     

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp Copy Link
    Previous ArticleMETROPOLITAN HILARION ALFEYEV: NO WINNERS IN A WORLD WAR
    Next Article Evidence Grows of Russian Orthodox Clergy’s Aiding Ukraine Rebels

    Related Posts

    June 12, 20255 Mins Read

    ‘The heart of Orthodox monasticism’: Historic monasteries on Mount Athos damaged by earthquakes

    June 10, 20254 Mins Read

    Ecumenical Patriarchate Issues Statement on Status of Saint Catherine Monastery of Sinai

    June 2, 20252 Mins Read

    Call for Nominations: 2025 Medal of Saint Theodora Award

    1 Comment

    1. Stacy Sennott on September 13, 2014 12:04 pm

      I was blessed to assist with this leadership conference for our young Orthodox leaders. It was truly inspiring to witness the strong faith and desire of these young Orthodox leaders to serve and make a difference. In addition, these young leaders formed close bonds with each other that I have never before seen in such a short time….all having met for the first time. I heard many of the participants say it was one of the best weeks of their life. Huge thanks and respect to Dan Christopoulos who had a vision for this and made it happen.

      Reply
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Sign the Declaration for Orthodox Christian Unity

    Enter the Slogan Contest

    Share this page
    DISCLAIMER

    All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    Stay Informed!

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT AND SUPPORT!

    Your donation impacts and helps advance the unity of the Orthodox Church of America.

    DONATE NOW

    THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

    Upcoming Events
    There are no upcoming events.
    Recent Comments
    • Procopius on Leading Liturgists Reaffirm the Ordination of Women to the Diaconate
    • Procopius on How will the Female Diaconate Help Prevent Abuse?
    • John Fronime on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Nn on HAVE WE HIT ROCK BOTTOM? REFLECTIONS OF A NOT-SO-INNOCENT BYSTANDER [witnessing the present decline of the Orthodox Church as an institution]
    • Member on Ex-Clergyman, Sexually Abused at 17 by His Priest, Attempted Suicide
    • Bonnie Belknap on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Bonnie Belknap on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Bonnie Belknap on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Luke on Egypt nationalizes ancient monastery’s grounds, fraying ties between Athens and Cairo
    • Webmaster on Egypt nationalizes ancient monastery’s grounds, fraying ties between Athens and Cairo
    OCL Archives Online
    Project for Orthodox Renewal
    renewal-resize
    OCL Digital Newsletter

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    MAKE A DONATION

    St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Photini are the Patron Saints of OCL

    footer-fnl

    Orthodox Christian Laity
    PO Box 6954

    West Palm Beach, FL · 33405
    561-585-0245

    Sponsored by Ann Souvall in memory of husband George

    DISCLAIMER: All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    ©2025 Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) ·  Login

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.