KURSK: 12 August, 2026
A delegation from the Australian-New Zealand Diocese takes part in the 18th International Concord of Orthodox Youth Congress

On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, the 18th International Concord of Orthodox Youth Congress opened at Kursk-Root Monastery near the city of Kursk, Russia.

This year, 60 young people from Kursk, Lugansk, Crimea, Belarus, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and other countries participated in the event.

The 18th Congress was dedicated to the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. On the opening day, the participants of the Congress made a procession of the cross to the site where the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God “of the Sign” was found, where His Eminence Metropolitan German of Kursk and Rylsk held a prayer service.

The gathering had a busy program. Until July 17, the participants stayed in the Kursk region, visited holy sites, took part in church services, and then went on a pilgrimage across Russia.

The "Concord of Orthodox Youth" Congress is a special event in the life of the Kursk and other dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church. The geography of the congress is extensive. A large delegation from the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia always participates arrives. “The descendants of Russian emigrants value their faith, speak Russian perfectly, know our history, and are introduced to their historic culture. They live far abroad, but thanks to the older generation, they retained their culture and faith. This is very important, especially in our time," said Metropolitan German of Kursk and Rylsk.