Who we are
COTY is the official youth ministry of the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain, for ages 16-35.
Our Vision
COTY was launched in 2023 with a broad goal: to serve the youth. We form a nationwide community that welcomes young adults from every parish. Our work involves:
Regional Communities: We reach across parish boundaries and form communities of youth in each region of the country, hosting events that unite us around our common values.
Education and Dialogue: We host talks, including youth-led discussions, to explore the most important issues concerning youth.
Fellowship in Service: We take responsibility within and without our churches, serving where needed through charity and leadership.
Digital Presence: We share our activities and discussions on major social media platforms, inviting all to take part.
Nationwide Collaboration: We form the organisational basis for nationwide events, coordinating between regions to run large initiatives.
External Outreach: We serve as a point of contact for young newcomers to the Faith, and represent young adults in interfaith forums.
In 2024-25, COTY is increasing the frequency and variety of our programming. We are also establishing new regional Hubs to better reach and serve young adults around the UK. Yet our activities will shed light on a common theme: Faith in Modern Life. Together, we will investigate the clash — and uncover the harmonies — between hectic, modern society and our spiritual journey.
COTY is a place not just for members of the Faith, but also catechumens, inquirers, and friends of any of the above. All COTY members, especially those newer to the Faith, may find value in our online content, which strives to offer unique youth perspectives on the journey in Orthodoxy.
What we do
We implement our vision by organising a regular mixture of social events, educational talks, and large gatherings.
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Look out for regular socials that bring the community together in a casual setting. The goal is to encourage new interactions, spark interesting conversations, and simply enjoy the company.
These events span happy hours, picnics, service efforts, coffee hours after Liturgy, craft nights, and more.
Socials usually take place monthly, though the pace may vary by Hub.
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COTY's talk Series and other periodic discussions help raise our collective awareness about the teachings of our Faith. This year's flagship Series of four events explores our theme of "Faith in Modern Life." Read more about it below.
The talks educate but also serve as another excellent opportunity for us to convene and socialize.
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We run at least three major events during the year: a big gathering around Christmas, another around Pentecost, and a nationwide Lenten Retreat (est. 2023). These initiatives mark important feasts on the calendar or address a major topic related to our annual theme.
Past gatherings also include pilgrimages and monastery trips.
This Year’s Theme: Faith in Modern Life
This theme asks us to consider the ways we practice our Faith in our modern lifestyles and societies. In a world filled with distractions and conflicting ideals, how do we preserve, express, and act on our Christian beliefs?
Through sermons, discussions, and organic conversations, we will think about the meaning of faith, neighbourly love, and obligation. We will discover practical techniques and behaviors that we can adopt to navigate distractions and competing responsibilities.
A four-part talk Series will anchor our educational efforts. Led by clergy speakers and scholars, the quarterly talks will build on each other and sustain a lively conversation throughout the year. (The pace of events may vary by Hub.)