FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE

EASTERN ORTHODOX COMMITTEE ON SCOUTING
HOLDS 42nd ANNUAL RETREAT

The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting [EOCS] is responsible for creating, expanding, and enhancing Eastern Christian Orthodoxy among the both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of the Orthodox Faith, held its 42nd North East Region annual scout retreat at St. Basil Academy, Garrison New York.  The EOCS was created in 1960 by The Standing Conference of Eastern Orthodox Bishops in America [SCOBA] and is responsible to them by providing scouting religious activities for our youth on a national level.

The retreat officially opened with an assembly and prayer from Bishop Demetrios of Xantos who substituted for Rev. Constantine Sitaras, the director of the academy and the host.  Students and seminarians from Holy Cross College &

Seminary Brookline. Massachusetts along with four seminarians from St. Vladimir Seminary developed and conducted a program based on the retreat theme “Faith in God”.  Since this was a religious retreat, the day was treated as a Fast Day for all meals.  During the afternoon a number of priests volunteered their time by hearing confessions from the 167 Boy and Girl Scouts participating.  His Grace Bishop Demetrios was extremely impressed that religion is a fundamental part of the Scouting Program.

The success of the retreat was mainly attributed to Greg Floor, the lead seminarian from Holy Cross, whose leadership and enthusiasm produced a marvelous program as well as recruiting 12 other fellow students and seminarians along with 4 from St. Vladimir’s Seminary to assist.  Greg also conducted an adult session while the scouts were participating in the retreat events, which was well attended and received.  Retreat Chairman, Tony Triant of New Jersey, again did an extraordinary job in chairing this event.  This retreat was his thirty-first continuous retreat as chairman.

After a religious Fast Dinner, the scouts and their leaders attended the traditional campfire.  The inclement weather for the entire weekend created many problems, which were rectified by Father Situras by making available numerous facilities for the retreat events including the use of the gym for the campfire, of course without a fire.  The evening event included songs and skits presented by the scouts.  They were also entertained with music and songs from the Holy Cross students.  The day’s activities end up with rap sessions for both the Boy and Girl Scouts.

Sunday brought the retreat to a close with a Divine Liturgy in the St. Basil Chapel with all the scouts partaking in Communion.  Liturgy was performed by Father John Bacon of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, the OCA representative to the EOCS along with Father Falsarella of Beacon, New York and at its’ conclusion presented the Eastern Orthodox Religious Scout Awards to a great number of scouts who earned them by working along with their parish priests.

The EOCS recognizes its’ duty to cultivate and nurture Orthodox Christian traditions.  Its 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, contact, EOCS Chairman, 862 Guy Lombardo Avenue, Freeport, New York 11520