Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens has urged the Church to look beyond asking why young people are becoming distant from religious life and instead examine how effectively the Church is reaching out to them and listening to their concerns.

“Before asking why young people are distancing themselves from us, we must ask whether we are truly able to draw closer to them,” the head of the Church of Greece said while addressing participants at the 10th Pan-Hellenic Congress of priests and youth workers.

The congress was held from September 1–3 in the Metropolis of Piraeus, bringing together more than 140 representatives of the Archdiocese of Athens and around 60 dioceses of the Church of Greece. The meeting focused on moving beyond the traditional transmission of religious knowledge toward approaches based on personal experience.

Archbishop Ieronymos noted that young people today live in a world shaped by social media and digital technologies. Although they have access to unprecedented amounts of information, many also experience loneliness, uncertainty and a lack of confidence.

The Church, he said, should not try to compete with the modern world or fear change. Instead, it should seek opportunities for genuine, personal communication with young people.

“A young person needs to know that there is someone in the Church with whom they can speak freely, without fear of judgment,” the archbishop said.

He stressed that youth ministry cannot be limited to classes, camps and organized activities. Building relationships based on trust and providing a personal example are equally important. Young people, he added, are particularly sensitive to the gap between what adults say and how they actually behave.

During the congress, participants exchanged experiences and took part in practical sessions exploring the use of creativity, music, games and modern technologies in work with children and teenagers.

Archbishop Ieronymos encouraged priests and youth workers to continue their efforts with “patience, prudence and, above all, love,” while remaining unafraid of young people's questions and doubts.

“Perhaps today a young person does not need someone who will point out the road to them from afar, but someone who is willing to walk that road together with them,” Archbishop Ieronymos said.