Byzantine Young Adults

In 2021, a group of brothers approached Fr. Lukas Mitro and Fr. Cyril Pinchak at a Theology on Tap event at Holy Resurrection Parish in Ohio with the hopes of starting a retreat for young adults in the summer. They were concerned with the lack of available events and resources provided by our Church once teenagers turned eighteen and were no longer able to attend youth group activities/events. Going off to college, many of our young people have become isolated from their Church communities and these young men wanted to give them a chance to reconnect and refresh themselves during summer break. Fr. Lukas Mitro, being the Director of Youth and Young Adults for the Eparchy at the time, agreed enthusiastically but insisted that consistent meetings had to be held first. This led to a weekly summer Bible study and culminated in our first retreat in 2021. To date, the retreat has grown to quite an event, boasting nearly 40 retreatants in 2025. This effort proved fruitful. In response to these efforts, Bishop Robert Pipta established a new framework for the Office of Youth and Young Adults. One that involves young adult representatives in each region. With the help of the Eparchy, the retreat has been concretized, Poustinias have become a regular occurrence in the Cleveland region, and the Pilgrimage of Hope was kicked off in 2025. This is just the beginning of a beautiful rebirth of the youth of our Eparchy. The Office works to continue building up the established progress and always continue growing in its ministry and reach throughout our expansive twelve state region.