EASTERN ORTHODOX COMMITTEE ON SCOUTING HOLDS 41st ANNUAL RETREAT

The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting [EOCS] is responsible for creating. expanding. and enhancing Eastern Christian Orthodoxy among the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scours of the Orthodox Faith, held its’ 41 ~ annual scout religious retreat at Saint 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 Father Anton Falsarella of Beacon, NY who was substituting for Rev. Constantine Sitaras, director of the academy and host. Students and seminarians frm Holy Cross College, Brookline, Massachusetts, developed and conducted a program based on the retreat theme, Alpha Omega ‘. Since this was a religious retreat, the day was treated as a Fast Day for all meals. During the afternoon five Orthodox Priests volunteered their time by hearing confessions from the 150 Scouts participating. The EOCS represents national both Boy and Girl Scouts which made the event co-ed.

The success of the retreat was mainly attributed to Holy Cross students Melanie Tsikouris and Jenny Servetas, whose leadership and enthusiasm produced a marvelous program as well as recruiting several other fellow students and seminarians to attend and assist. Monk Michael from Holy Cross conducted an adult session which was well attended and received. Retreat chairman, Tony Triant of New Jersey. did an extraordinary job in chairing this event, This retreat was his thirtieth continuous retreat as chairman.

After a religious Fast dinner, the Scouts and their leaders attended a huge campfire conducted by the Holy Cross students and seminarians. 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 ended with rap sessions for both the Boy and Girl Scouts with the seminarians

Sunday brought the retreat to a close with a Divine Liturgy in the Saint Basil Chapel with most of the participants partaking in Communion. After church services the retreat concluded with a final assembly where recognitions and thank yous were given. During the closing ceremonies a number Scouts received their Alpha Omega Religious Scout Award Certificates, which was followed by a fabulous cookout brunch provided by the academy.

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 Scouts personal moral development

For information on the EOCS and their events and programs, contact, EOCS Chairman, 8o2 Guy Lombardo Avenue, Freeport, New York 11520