Русская Версия

July 13, 2009
Jordanville, NY: Summer Youth Program held at Holy Trinity Monastery

After many years in abeyance, the Jordanville Summer Youth Program was relaunched on June 21, 2009, on the Sunday of All Saints of Russia. The program was open to boys between the ages of fifteen and eighteen, and lasted three weeks. Six boys came from different parts of the United States to be part of the Youth Program, having heard either by word of mouth or through the Jordanville website.  

The boys participated in the life of Holy Trinity Monastery, attending services daily and working with the monks at various obediences. Some of the obediences included serving in the altar, painting icons, working in the vegetable and flower gardens, helping in the kitchen and bakery, and cleaning the Seminary dormatory.

There were many special features of the program as well. The group met with a priest including Rev. Victor Boldewskul and Rev. Alexei Pjawka for spiritual instruction and discussion daily.  The boys learned about the fundamentals of Orthodoxy, the lives of saints and were exposed to the living heritage of Holy Trinity Monastery including its spiritual connection with the Pochaev monastery. Archimandrite Luke, the Abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery, met with the boys and spoke on special topics.  Two of the boys received instruction in iconography from Monk Theophan. Fr. Boris Henderson, the Summer Youth Program advisor, came from Colorado to do a woodworking project with all the boys. They all participated in campfires and lenten barbeques, swimming in the monastery lakes, sports, and fishing. One special fishing trip was led by Protodeacon Victor Lochmatow. Fr. Victor brought the boys to a lake where Metropolitan Laurus of blessed memory would sometimes retreat for relaxation.  They rented a boat and had a lenten cookout on an island. The boys also went to Howe Caverns and the Baseball Hall of Fame in nearby Cooperstown.  

Abbot Luke, Fr. Boris, and the planners and organizers of the Summer Youth Program would like to thank all those who donated to the program. Together they made the program affordable and accessible to people would otherwise not be able to attend, and contributed greatly to the program's success.

     

More photographs are available on the Holy Trinity Monastery website by clicking here.

Official Website of Holy Trinity Monastery
www.jordanville.org