Home Teen SOYO

volunteering in the kitchenTeen SOYO (The youth movement of the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America) founded by his Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP in 1968, as a regional and in 1969 as an Archdiocese Youth Movement, has developed many Leaders across the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. For decades Teen SOYO has inspired Youth to Love Christ, His Church, and to seek His Truth and Life. Teens can be found across the Antiochian Archdiocese seeking to live a righteous life, seeking to discover that which God has graven in their hearts and minds. Teens can be seen serving those in the Church, as well as their neighbors both near and far that are in need of Christ’s love and mercy.

“Starting Teen SOYO was one of the first and most important things I did after becoming Metropolitan. The importance of providing programs for our youth and keeping them close to the Church is essential. This is especially true in this modern era. What started as a small movement has grown into an Archdiocese wide force providing humanitarian services to the poor and needy as well as bringing the youth of our parishes together on the local, regional, and archdiocese levels. May God continue to bless our youth and may we always encourage them to do what is good and pleasing to God.” (Metropolitan PHILIP, Primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America & Founder of Teen SOYO)

Many past Teen SOYO members are now serving the Orthodox Church as Priests, Deacons, Khouriyies, Youth Workers, Church School Teachers, Choir Members, Parish Council Members, as Archdiocese Board Members and Members of the Order of St Ignatius.

Across this continent we see our young people serving their church, their neighbors and those less fortunate than they. Our Young people have been inspired to serve. They have been taught in very real and concrete ways that it is better to give than receive – and they have done so through:

  • Special Olympics
  • Project Mexico
  • in their local communities
  • in homeless shelters
  • orphanages,
  • the new Orthodox Youth Outreach Programs (OYO)
  • and countless other ways

St. John's soup kitchenTeen SOYO is a Ministry that is responsive to the needs of our young people and one that has allowed them “to plunge into the depths of the Orthodox Faith”.

During his Consecration to the Holy Episcopacy, Metropolitan PHILIP stated that “the faithful youth are the heartbeat of the Church” as he promised the Antiochian Orthodox Patriarch that he would see to the needs of the youth in North America, which he has so faithfully done through Teen SOYO.

If you are interested in starting or enhancing your Parish Teen SOYO Movement contact your regional Teen SOYO President, Youth Director or Spiritual Director. You may also find resources for Youth Ministry on the Archdiocese web site at www.antiochian.org/youth.