The day was finally here when the big lecture would take place in St. Kyriakos Church. Soku- and Suf Norrköping were on site early and prepared everything that would be served during the day. At 11 o'clock the first guests arrived, Soku– Södertälje and Soku- Botkyrka. While they were sitting and eating breakfast, more and more guests started to arrive. While everyone was sitting and eating breakfast, Soku/Suf – Norrköping chairwoman Susan Cakar and Soku- Norrköping vice-chairwoman Georgia Mushe went up on stage to give a welcome speech.
Then Sofia Isik went on stage to begin the sketch that was to be performed. The sketch was about a young Syrian couple who were about to get married, the couple came to a point where the girl was asked a difficult question by the guy that she didn't know how to answer. The question was whether they should have sex before marriage or not? Everyone then found out the answer inside the church during the lectures.
The first lecture was given by Feryal Gaadan. The lecture was based on several different stories that Feryal would convey by playing a girl who told these events. The girl she played was for sex before marriage. When the lecture was over, abuna Josef Dag took over and explained that this was a role play so that no misunderstandings would arise. Feryal had thus told stories that were real and that arise among today's Syrian youth. Then it was time for coffee and everyone went back into the room where lots of goodies had been set out.
At 3:00 PM it was time for lecture number two, led by Abuna Josef Dag. Abuna's lecture was about cohabitation before marriage from a biblical perspective, where he constantly related to the Bible. Having sex with someone before marriage is a sin from a Christian and biblical perspective was one of the messages he conveyed to the young people during the lecture. When Abuna had finished his lecture, it was time for questions and discussion. The baskets that had been passed around during the lecture were now full of notes that Abuna would answer. He was happy that so many wanted to ask questions, but pointed out that if he had time to answer all the questions, it would take him all night, so he could only answer a few.
Finally, it was time to eat! Many hungry stomachs now headed towards the church premises where steak with potatoes and brown gravy was served, with this there was also pizza salad and bread. During the dinner we also had the chance to socialize with each other a little and discuss the lecture. As soon as everyone had filled their stomachs and the food was cleared away, it was time to turn on the music so that the “sahrån” could begin. Since many people were going home, meza and snacks were served almost immediately after the meal, which meant that hardly anyone touched our delicious meza. Everyone danced and were happy, but the highlight was when the “dance battle” started between a 40-year-old and a 20-year-old. The 40-year-old won everyone’s applause when he broke, did somersaults and did splits on the dance floor. Then it was time for our guests to head home to their cities. The Sokuists and Sufars were left who had one fun thing left to do, namely CLEANING!
We at Soku- and Suf Norrköping would like to thank everyone who has been involved in making this day possible. We would also like to thank our lecturers Abuna Josef Dag and Feryal Gaadan who provided two informative lectures.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).
Sofia Isik & Natanya Altun