40,000 Christian Youths Gather for 27th European Taize meeting
More than 40,000 young adults gathered in Lisbon, Portugal, for the 27th European Taize meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2004. The five day gathering, which is open only to Christians and Catholics between the age of 17 and 30, is a period where participants can give special reflections and prayers.
According to the Associated Faith Press, the theme of this year¡¯s meeting was peace; meetings, debates, prayers and Bible readings will be held in 20 languages surrounding the theme. The youth will also be praying for the victims of the Southeast Asian earthquake, Tsunami and floods.
"We are praying in communion with the victims of the disaster in Asia," said Brother Roger, founder of the Taize ecumenical community which staged the event. "Please comfort the peoples of Asia in their sorrow.¡±
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The Taize community is an ecumenical Christian men¡¯s monastic order in Taize, France. The community, which is made up of more than 100 men from more than 25 nations, represents mainly Catholic and Protestant branches of Christianity.
The community began in 1940 by Brother Roger as a haven for World War II refugees, particularly Jews fleeing from Nazi persecution.
Every year, thousands of Christian pilgrims travel to Taize to visit the community, whose daily routine involves several hours of intensive prayer, Bible studies and thrice-daily services.
According to the AFP, nearly 200 churches in Lisbon, Portugal opened their doors to host the 40,000 participants. The Lisbon meeting is set to end on Saturday, January 1, 2005.
For more information on the Taize community, visit: http://www.taize.fr/
