So Where are they (Eritrean-American Orthodox diaspora youth)?

Let us go back to the beginning question of where are they now? Many of the youth because they have that core belief in God but did not see God reflected in their experiences on Sunday, never lost their deep desire to know God. They were not taught about God’s relationship with us through the Holy Sacraments. They were not taught how each action that happens at church and Qidasse (Holy Liturgy) has deep meaning and reflects the relationship of love between God and man. They may have not seen in their life among the Sebeka guba’e, parents or teachers a reflection of true Christian living. Instead of finding a place where they could learn about God, they were taught rules in a different language without explanation given on why it was happening. Some were met with negativity when asking questions so they simply stop asking. They come to the conclusion that these people do not come here to know God- this is simply a community or cultural center. Their quest for God though never stops. Where then can they find this relationship with God? I have seen some youth instead of going to their  Orthodox Churches  are now found attending Protestant churches on Sundays while their parents attend the Tewahdo church. The parents, are not pleased that their children no longer consider themselves Orthodox but because of their own lack of understanding and knowledge are not able to give their children persuasive reasoning other than “Orthodoxy is our religion, we can’t go to another church” this answer is not enough to quench the thirst to know God and attend a church where the youth receive practical teaching in their primary language  of English . Other parents on the other hand I have seen although they would rather their children be Orthodox, feel that at least their children are learning at the Protestant churches they are attending. There are others who now do not attend church at all or many others- are currently still searching for God through clubbing, partying, shisha, drugs,and alcohol.

Now what?

Now that we know this information, what can be done to bridge the gap between God and the church?

• 1) Bridge the gap between information and relationship teach about how to pray, confess, take Holy Communion and develop a personal relationship with God.
• 2) Teach Practicality through experience, if you want them to learn the Qidasse they  need to attend the Qidasse (Always connect what you are teaching with real life. Youth need to know what does this have to do with my real life?)
• 3) Always Translate mezmur, Qidasse to English and explain the meaning . This helps build Geez vocabulary but youth understand best when they pray and sing in their primary language which is English.

To the diaspora youth- the answer to the question ‘why’ must always be answered. They have many questions and need to see the church lived out practically. Explain that God shows His love  through the church. He is with us always through the church and the Holy Sacraments. We must show them practically how to pray by praying in English so that they can have true understanding! We must not only translate mezmurs and prayers– but explain the meaning of the translations. Teachers must always connect what is taught to the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A Christian we must be a light and show that we are a byproduct of His mercy by the way we live our lives. Be an example, hypocrites can be smelled a mile away especially by young people- practice what you preach. Show that this is not a theory but a true teaching by living the life-they are watching. If you are the only one teaching about taking Holy Communion but you never take Holy Communion then you are sending a message by saying our church teaching is simply a theory to you.  Show your Christ like love and care by the way you teach and live. Share your enthusiasm about the Tewahedo faith, give your experiences with the sacraments, so they can see it applied practically, you may be the only example they have.

Thankfully, my search for God ended at the Tewahdo church after much searching.  I was fortunate to meet Tewahdo Orthodox Christian brothers and sisters who for the first time showed me the Christian faith in English. I was drawn to the  love of Christ the showed me the righteous way in which the way they lived their lives. They pushed me to become closer to God. As our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said “you are the light of the world,…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Mathew 5:14&16. Churches in many cities in North America and the United Kingdom are now being shut down because of lack of attendees, we must
be the light so that we can build the bridge and make the church not simply a place where people gather once a week but where we experience God. Priests, deacons, mezemuran, teachers, parents and me’minan (congregation members). In this way, the youth’s search for God and truth will end, like mine did- in the Orthodox Church. We must open our ears to the silent protest of my peers who by their absence are speaking volumes.  God is giving us Sunday School members, teachers, parents, deacons and priests the responsibility. By God’s grace, let us begin the work in ourselves and in our church to create the future church in the diaspora.

Contact:
For  clarification on this article, resources  or other assistance contact me at my email : Dellila Tesfay: dtesfay1@gmail.com.
For Translated resources or assistance on  how to help your youth or Sunday school class can be provided by the English Youth Outreach Program (EYOP)  Eotyoc@gmail.com.

Summary For parents, teachers, clergy- How to Bridge the Gap: 

1)Teaching relationship with God through the Church
a. Teaching how to pray, fast, repent, confess and take Holy Communion

b. God is with us through the church Mysteries:  “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Mathew 28:20

c. We have a purpose in the church and each one of us in God’s heart.

2)Practicality through real life experience (What does this have to do with my real life?)
d. Having them experience the Holy Liturgy

e. Having them participate in having a confession father, fasting, taking Holy Communion

f. Teaching how intercession can be applied to real life

g. Doing service projects such as volunteering in the community, cleaning the church as group. Practicality.

3)Translate and explain the significance of that translation
h. Use the mezmurs as teaching materials to increase Ge’ez vocab

i. Use the mezmurs as tools to teach the significance of intercession or martyrdom

j. Teach mezmur in English

Glory Be to God

And to His Virgin Mother

And to the Glorious Cross

Amen.

Dellila Tesfay