Mangup - the First International Youth Meeting

Dear fathers, sisters and brothers! The Orthodox youth organization, “Common cause,” (registered officially in Russia on 7 May, 2002), contributes to the education of children and young adults based upon  truth of Gospel, values common to all mankind, national identity, and the greatest achievements of world culture. We strive within our powers to make our contribution to the building of a society which lives according to the Gospels, the laws of morality, principles of honour, duty, and love of neighbour. Our organization was created by the joint efforts of its organizers, who possess extensive experience in youth work and social activity. Although our organization is young, we have already implemented a number of different youth projects in Russia and abroad One of the most significant is an Annual International Youth Conference called “Mangup,” which takes place in the cave-town Eski-Kermen in the Crimea (Ukraine) by the blessing of Metropolitan of the Crimea Lazar. The disappearance of the soviet system has left an ideological vacuum in the countries of former Soviet Union. Young people, naturally inclined to active life in society, heroism, and truth-seeking, are unable to find an integral system of values. This brings negative social movements, public irresponsibility, weakness of will for the building of a new Russia and new democratic countries. Various Christian youth organizations and associations try to involve youth of our countries in youth work and mission, but they act without collaboration with each other. They lack at times the appropriate skills and knowledge necessary for professional youth ministry and mission, and are often in straightened financial and organizational circumstances. But there are still a lot of Christian young people and youth organizations which are ready to serve our Lord and to change society for the better. We need to rediscover that which before was rejected. In connection with this there is a need for creating and implementing a project aimed at the rapprochement of various Christian youth organizations, the exchange of youth ministry experience, the obtaining by Christian youth leaders of essential knowledge and skills for capable social activity, youth ministry and mission, and the inventing and organizing of new joint projects. Our youth organization, “Common cause,” began the tradition of conducting an annual international youth assemblage, “Mangup,” at the unique cave-town Eski-Kermen (VIII-XV cc.) in the Crimea (Ukraine) at the end of August for these purposes. We helped various youth organizations ( “Young Russia”, “Going together”, “Bogudonia”, Church Mission Society (UK), Youth spiritual center at Danilov monastery) to exchange youth work experience, conducted several educational sections and training, and planned our further collaboration, having mutually been culturally enriched. About 130 young adults from various youth organizations in Central Russia, Europe, Siberia, and the Crimea participated in the in August 2002 conference.  The Crimea is very diverse and rich in the cultural, historical and ethnic sphere. The cave-towns Eski-Kermen and Mangup give a living historical example of peaceful co-existence and fruitful fusion of different nations and tribes, religions and cultures. Acquaintance and contact with the ancient inheritance of Romans, Greeks, Hebrews, Goths, Tatars, and Slavs provide real examples of respect and tolerance toward other peoples and cultures. This diversity of life, culture, and history in the Crimea makes our assemblage close and accessible for young people from Eastern Europe as well. We intend to invite our colleagues and friends from youth organizations in the Baltic states, Poland, Belarussia, Slovakia, Moldova, Bulgaria, and Rumania for the next conference in 2003.