The Orthodox Youth Movement Kosba Chapter - Branch of Tripoli

The Orthodox Youth Movement (also know as MJO) in Kosba is a chapter of many chapters of the MJO spread in the Archdioceses of the Antiochian Patriarchate under the direction of the Bishops and Fathers of the Church of Antioch.

It is a "spiritual movement working within the Orthodox Church and at Her service, in all the regions of the Antiochian Holy See, possessing the approval and blessing of the Holy Synod of Antioch. The Synod wished the MJO all success in the field of the Lord." This was written in the Patriarchal Tomos as announced at the Holy Synod Meeting on January 22^nd, 1946.

The Activities of the Youth Movement in Kosba are as follows:

I. The MJO house situated next to the Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus is the place of meeting for all groups and councils to study, read, and spend time together.

II. The MJO groups which are cultural and lively groups in which occurs the study of scriptural, ecclesial, spiritual, moral, and social issues, seeking to live a true Christian life, applying the acquired knowledge, and participating in the Holy Sacraments and prayers.
The groups are divided according to different age families:

1. The Children Family, having about 60 members from 3 to 12 years' old
2. The Junior Teens Family, having about 25 members from 12 to 16 years' old
3. The Senior Teen Family, having about 20 members from 16 to 18 years' old
4. The College Family, having about 15 college age members
5. The Working Family, having about 60 members of workers and parents

III. The Pastoral and Spiritual Direction Ministry: The MJO holds occasional lectures and conferences, organize visits to households, evening Bible Studies, Choir Training, and Byzantine Music Learning. It also encourages the faithful to practice the Holy Sacrament of Confession and participate in spiritual retreats in Monasteries and convents.

IV. Social Work: This is the practice of faith involving:

1. Giving material and psychological support to all needed people in the town, and is supported by donations from local faithful
2. The Nursery, giving medical support to people in the area, and it is funded by local and immigrant faithful and the medical staff that treats patients at no charge.
3. The School Support Program giving child education support through financial grants to those needed
4. Funeral Services Program: This unique project which started in Kosba and spread everywhere in the North gives the opportunity to freely donate to the family members the coffin to be used for their deceased.
5. Retreats Center: This is a new center near the church of St. Barbara supported by the Parish Council of the church of Kosba. Its aim is to receive the parish children during the summer by holding retreats and camps. It still needs more facilities to be complete

V. Education and Publishing: The MJO distributes the bulletins and books published by An-Nour Press as well as the Archdioceses and Monasteries, which are:

1. The Liturgical, Doctrinal, Spiritual and Patristic books
2. The An-Nour Magazine
3. The Arabic Bulletin
4. The Raiati Bulletin
5. The Voice of the Tripoli Branch Bulletin
6. Videos and Movies and CDs
7. In addition, the MJO holds religious book fairs and icon exhibitions as well as hand made church items

VI. Future Plans: The MJO is planning several projects which we list some below:

1. Training courses on Computer and different trades
2. Support for students in their homework and studies
3. An elderly club
4. Enlarging the Nursery Work
5. A Restaurant offering meals of love (free of charge)
6. A database containing the names of all Kosba families living in and outside the town