July 15, 2016
Woodbourne, NY: Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan leads Patronal Feast of
Sts. Peter & Paul Chapel in Camp NORR
On
Monday the 11th and Tuesday the 12th of July, the feast day of the
Holy Glorious and All-Praised Apostles Peter & Paul, Bishop Nicholas
of Manhattan, vicar of the Eastern American Diocese, visited the
Orthodox youth camp of the Association of Russian Explorers (NORR)
in the Catskill Mountains in Woodbourne, NY. Co-served by Bishop
Nicholas of Salavat & Kumertau, the vicar bishop led the divine
services for the patronal feast day of the
camp’s Sts. Peter & Paul Chapel.
Prior to the start of Vigil, the bishops attended Camp NORR’s
flag-lowering ceremony, after which they spent time interacting with
campers.
At
the All-Night Vigil on Monday evening, the hierarchs were co-served
by Camp NORR’s spiritual counselor, Archpriest Constantine Semyanko,
Archpriest Alexandre Antchoutine (dean of Long Island & the Hudson
Valley), Priest George Temidis (cleric of Nativity of the Mother of
God Church at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY),
Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky (cleric of Holy Dormition Convent
"Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY), and Deacon Alexey Pnev (cleric of the
New Kursk Root Hermitage). Singing the divine services was NORR’s
mixed youth choir, under the direction of conductor Tamara M.
Zhukov.
Upon completion of the Vigil, the bishops attended the bonfire,
where campers sang them several Russian patriotic songs.
The
following morning, the above-mentioned clergy celebrated Divine
Liturgy. Prior to the start of Liturgy, Their Graces attended the
flag-raising ceremony, including St. Andrew’s Cross and the flags of
Russia and the United States. During the reading of the Sixth Hour,
Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan tonsured camper Seraphim Arlievsky a
reader. In his sermon, His Grace spoke about the Holy Apostles Peter
and Paul, who gave their lives for Christ.
Bishop Nicholas of Salavat & Kumertau continued becoming acquainted
with the life and traditions of Camp NORR. He was especially
delighted to hear the story of the small bird who made her nest
above the chapel – she and her chicks had to be relocated to a
nesting house built by the campers and hung under the chapel’s
canopy.
The camp is currently marking its 50th year in the Catskills;
official celebrations will take place on July 15-17.
Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese
