With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, the forty-ninth annual Orthodox Conference (“Syezd”) will be held at Camp Manyung, Mt Eliza, just south of Melbourne. Beginning on Thursday, 19th December, the Syezd will be held over six days and five nights ending on Tuesday, 24th December, 2013.

What is Syezd?

Syezd is an annual event where Orthodox and non-Orthodox people get together from all over Australia & overseas to catch up with old friends, make new friends, enjoying the break from the daily grind of work, school and other pressures. Most importantly, Syezd gives people the chance to connect with each other as they learn more about the Orthodox faith and discover how to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life in a world increasingly beset by falling moral standards & life values. Set at the end of every year, Syezd allows people to start the new year feeling reignited with life passion, physically refreshed and spiritually re-connected again.

Every year the theme of Syezd changes, with the talks and discussions during Syezd reflecting the main theme of the current Syezd – with the focus placed on the most important issues being faced by people in our community. This gives attendees a chance to delve more into a particular theme, inciting more discussions and thought provoking questions for exploring in a friendly, positive and supportive environment. The general idea is for attendees to be able to return to “the outside world” armed with renewed vigour and strengthened in mind and spirit, to better cope with and meet whatever challenges the world may demand from them.

Melbourne Syezd 2013

Melbourne is delighted to host Syezd 2013, especially as there seems to be somewhat of a resurrection of interest and yearning for guidance in living an Orthodox lifestyle!

In response to people’s renewed interest, Syezd 2013 will focus on workshop-style discussions relating to more controversial topics where attendees will have a chance to explore the choices that are available to them in uplifting their own lifestyles, worldview, and shedding light on their future direction. In the fast-paced and scrambled world we live in today, Orthodox Christians, more than ever, are seeking ways to rise above declining moral and living standards, and are reaching for support in their endeavours to create a brighter future for themselves and their loved ones.

From feedback gathered by people in our parish communities, the topics of greatest interest include: Science and Nature, Morals and Conscience, Family and Values, and Atheism and Apathy. Clergy from around Australia, New Zealand and abroad will be joining the discussions, providing guidance and support, and sharing ways of overcoming trials and tribulations. Delegates will have the chance to socialise with the clergy and to see them as friends and mentors. Most of all, delegates will feel reassured that we are all in this together, and can reach out to each other for comfort, encouragement and support.

Due to the mature content of the topics to be covered, Syezd is open to anyone over the age of 18. All the information about Melbourne Syezd 2013 including registration is on the official Syezd website: syezd.yews.com.au