OCA priests, SVS seminarians participate in 42nd annual Orthodox Scouting Retreat

The Very Rev. John T. Bacon, Rector of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary Church, Chelsea, MA and OCA representative to the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the organization’s 42nd North East regional retreat at Saint Basil Academy here recently.

The retreat officially opened with an assembly and prayer from His Grace, Bishop Demetrios of Xanthos. Students from Saint Vladimir Seminary, Crestwood, NY and Hellenic College-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Brookline, MA developed and conducted a program based on the retreat theme “Faith in God.” Sessions were also conducted for the adult scout leaders. In the afternoon, several priests heard the confessions of the 167 boy and girl scouts who attended the retreat.

In addition to religious discussions, the scouts enjoyed a camp fire, presented skits, and enjoyed musical presentations by the seminarians.

Concelebrating the Liturgy with Father Bacon was Father Anthony Falsarella, Beacon, NY, who is attached to St John the Baptist Church in Spring Valley, NY. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, awards were presented to many of the scouts who had participated in the various Orthodox scouting award programs.

EOCS is responsible for creating, expanding, and enhancing the faith of Orthodox Christian boy and girl scouts. EOCS was organized in 1960 by the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas [SCOBA] and is responsible to them by providing religious activities for Orthodox scouts on a national level. EOCS’s beliefs accord with the Scout Law and Scout Oath, that religion is an integral part of a scout’s personal moral development.

For information on the EOCS and their events and programs, check out their website at www.eocs.org or contact them at: EOCS, 862 Guy Lombardo Ave., Freeport, NY 11520