July 19, 2012
Woodbourne, NY:
Archbishop Gabriel led the Feast Day of Sts. Peter & Paul in NORR
Camp
On
Wednesday the 11th and Thursday the 12th of July, on the feast day
of the Holy Leaders of the Apostles Sts. Peter & Paul, His Eminence
Gabriel, Archbishop of Montreal and Canada, visited the Russian
Orthodox children’s camp of the
Association of
Russian Explorers Outside of Russia (NORR).
This year, NORR marks its 46th year in New York’s Catskill
Mountains, where over 100 children and young people (campers and
junior counselors), and about 40 counselors and personnel gather.
Archbishop Gabriel led the All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy in the
camp
chapel, consecrated in honor of Sts. Peter & Paul. His was
co-served by Priest Constantine Semyanko (cleric of the Church of
the Presentation of Christ in the Temple in Stratford, CT),
Protodeacon Dimitri Temidis (cleric of Holy Virgin Protection Church
in Nyack, NY), Protodeacon Sergei Arlievsky (cleric of Holy
Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY), and Deacon George
Temidis (cleric of the Nativity of the Mother of God Church at the
New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY). A choir of campers sang
solemnly under the direction of Tamara M. Zhukov.
After
the Vigil, His Eminence gathered with the older camps and spent over
an hour and a half talking with them and answering their questions.
At the request of the youth, the meeting was held without the
participation of parents or counselors and, according to campers’
impressions, had a significant impact on its participants.
Despite the dark clouds that set upon the camp from three cardinal
directions, and the deep rumblings of thunder during the Vigil, the
mountain storms bypassed the camp, and the sun shone brightly at
Liturgy the following morning.
In honor of the feast, usual camp assignments and chores were
postponed on this hot day, and after a general photo and festal
breakfast, campers were glad to spend time swimming in the pool.
Archbishop Gabriel was in no hurry to leave, and spend the remainder
of the day at camp, treating all of the campers to ice cream.
On
Saturday, July 14, yet another joyous occasion took place
unexpectedly: an icon with the relics of Sts. Peter & Febronia of
Murom visited the camp. After a moleben in the camp chapel, the icon
was taken around to bless the camp’s perimeter.
This year marks the first year that NORR has run camp without the
participation of Vasily F. Zhukov, one of the founders of NORR in
the U.S. almost 50 years ago. Vasily continued his work in the
organization until the end of his life. He reposed on June 30, 2011
after battling a longtime illness. Vasily was a loyal son of Russia,
and from his youth dedicated all of his strength to the work of
bringing up the next generation abroad in a Russian spirit.
Republication of materials must include a reference to:
"Eastern American Diocese www.eadiocese.org."
Article and photos by Matushla Elizaveta Temidis
