named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
All Diaspora Orthodox Youth Conference
Biennial conference bringing together Orthodox youth from across the diaspora for spiritual talks, fellowship, and identity formation
Atlanta Symposium
Annual event focused on exploring Orthodox Christian identity in America through lectures, discussions, and worship
PVYA Podcast
Series of audio discussions on faith, marriage, work, and Christian life, organized by youth groups
Youth Conferences in Australia
Annual youth gatherings in Australia, including talks and workshops organized in collaboration with the Australian Diocesan Youth Committee
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Christian Leadership & Discipleship Training 2 activities
- Conduct outreach and religious education for unaffiliated youthEngages young adults with no prior knowledge of Orthodoxy through outreach programs, resulting in over 20 baptisms and increased parish attendance.
- Organize international All-Diaspora Orthodox Youth ConferencesPlans and hosts large-scale youth conferences across North America and internationally, featuring structured programs including faith-based education, lectures, cultural events, and relationship-building activities. Recent conferences have taken place in Salt Lake City (2022), Stuttgart, Germany (2024), and previous iterations in Chicago, Paris, and San Francisco.
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Community Service and Charitable Outreach 1 activity
- Facilitate charitable and social service activities for youthEngages youth in service projects supporting the needy, elderly, and isolated individuals, and assists in the preservation and restoration of Orthodox churches and monasteries in the U.S. and Russia.
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Interfaith and Spiritual Dialogue Programs 1 activity
- Host symposia on Orthodox identity in AmericaOrganizes academic and community gatherings focused on preserving and discussing Orthodox Christian identity in the American context, including the Atlanta Symposium in 2025 and a January 2026 event.
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Public Awareness and Educational Outreach 1 activity
- Produce and distribute conference educational materialsMakes recordings, videos, and presentation materials from youth conferences available to extend educational reach beyond in-person attendees.
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Published Narrative Projects 1 activity
- Research and publish on Orthodox youth ministryAuthored and published the book "From West to East" in 2012, documenting approaches and experiences in Orthodox youth work.
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Ukraine War Humanitarian Relief 1 activity
- Support charitable projects in Eastern EuropeHelped sponsor the development of a petting zoo and playground at orphanages in Belarus, funded by donations from Russian Orthodox parishes.
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Youth and Young Adult Spiritual Engagement 1 activity
- Support local and regional Orthodox youth conferencesProvides logistical and organizational support for Orthodox youth conferences outside the U.S., including coordination of participants and event planning, such as in Australia.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Organize annual celebrations honoring St. VladimirHosts yearly events commemorating the legacy of St. Vladimir, integrating faith and cultural heritage.
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financials · form 990 · fy2021
revenue
Total revenue$5K
Contributions & grants$5K96%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$2334%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$58K
Program expenses54%
Admin / overhead46%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$18K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$472K
Cash$472K
Investments$0
Liabilities$2K
Net assets$470K
Liquid reserves98.4 mo
2 years on record · 2020–2021 · YoY revenue -99.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANDREI SOMMER | PRESIDENT | 16 | $18K |
board members · 2
- ELIAS SHIKALOFF — SECRETARY
- SERGEY BRUSHTEIN — TREASURER
relationships · 21
Who they work with
- Australian Diocesan Youth Committee Partner — Collaborates with PVYA on joint events and programming, including the 2025 Australia Syezd
- Bishop Job Partner — Delivered a lecture on preserving Orthodox identity at a youth conference.
- Bishop Job Partner — Lectured on preserving Orthodox identity at the All Diaspora Youth Conference.
- Fr. Andrei Partner — Key organizer of the PVYA Orthodox Youth Conference in Stuttgart, instrumental in facilitating the event where attendees met and formed lasting relationships.
- Fr. Gregory Joyce Partner — Engaged with youth participants in spiritual dialogue at the St. Mary Magdalene Chapel in Darmstadt.
- Fr. Ilya Limberger Partner — Delivered a presentation on family upbringing and priestly life at a youth conference.
- Fr. Ilya Limberger Partner — Delivered a presentation on family upbringing and priestly life at the conference.
- Fr. Patrick Hinds Partner — Delivered a talk on his journey to Orthodoxy at a youth conference.
- Fr. Patrick Hinds Partner — Delivered a talk on his journey to Orthodoxy at the conference.
- Fr. Peter Prekrestov Partner — Delivered a sermon referencing the principle of unity, diversity, and love during the 30th anniversary of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco’s glorification.
- German friends Partner — Collaborated on creating a video for the All Diaspora Youth Conference.
- Instagram Partner — Maintains an official presence on Instagram for outreach and communication.
- Metropolitan Nicholas Government — Recognized during the conference for the 10th anniversary of his episcopal ordination.
- Metropolitan Nicholas Government — Religious leader commemorated during events; represents ecclesiastical authority within the Orthodox Church.
- Mrs. Barbara Artemoff-Bazanov Partner — Co-led a lecture using the iceberg model to explore multicultural interconnectedness within Russian Orthodoxy.
- Protodeacon Bartholomew Bazanov Partner — Co-led a lecture using the iceberg model to explore multicultural interconnectedness within Russian Orthodoxy.
- Russian Orthodox parishes Partner — Collaborated with Russian Orthodox parishes to raise funds and support for orphanages in Belarus.
- St. Mary Magdalene Chapel Partner — Hosted participants and facilitated spiritual discussions during the All Diaspora Youth Conference.
- St. Sergius Partner — English mission parish collaborating with the organization in New York City for youth outreach and baptisms.
- Synod of Bishops Youth Department Government — Organization with which V. Rev. Andrei Sommer serves as Vice-Chairman, indicating an institutional affiliation.
- Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia Government — Works with the department on youth work under the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Cross-Cultural Orthodox Fellowship Modelmethodology: transnational-fellowshipBy partnering with international Orthodox youth organizations and hosting immersive diaspora-wide gatherings, the organization builds inclusive, transnational community, because structured cross-cultural encounters rooted in shared faith enable unity beyond geography while honoring cultural diversity.
- Cultural-Religious Integration Modelmethodology: cultural-integrationBy uniting cultural heritage (particularly Russian Orthodox traditions) with religious identity, the organization strengthens youth cohesion and continuity of faith, because shared cultural memory and ritual serve as accessible entry points to deeper spiritual engagement while preserving diaspora identity.
- Faith-Based Identity and Spiritual Belonging Modelmethodology: spiritual-belongingBy engaging spiritually curious youth through shared Orthodox Christian faith, the organization fosters deep personal connections, spiritual growth, and a sense of belonging, because these elements address the existential void of secular society and create durable community bonds.