Patriarch of Antioch: Church unity requires solidarity and mutual trust

Patriarch Ioannis X of Antioch and All the East welcomed participants in the General Conference of the Orthodox Youth Movement at the Patriarchal Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand on Friday, November 13, 2026.

Following the Vespers service, the Patriarch addressed the participants, encouraging them to embrace their Christian faith as a living and inseparable part of their existence, despite the pressures and challenges of everyday life.

He placed particular emphasis on prayer and spiritual vigilance, describing them as essential elements of the journey toward self-knowledge, purification, illumination, and ultimately sanctification.

Referring to the mission and activities of the Orthodox Youth Movement, Patriarch John warned against becoming overly attached to rigid institutional structures, urging members to preserve the spirit and enthusiasm of the movement’s founders.

“You, the members of the Movement, must remain people of action, drawing inspiration from the flame of the first pioneers who came before you,” he stated.

Concluding his address, the Patriarch emphasized the importance of unity within the Church, calling on participants to avoid unilateral actions and…