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The Prophet Elias Award
Purpose
"With us everything is secondary compared to our concern
with young people and their upbringing in the instruction
and teaching of the Lord. After all, what greater work is
there than training the mind and forming the habits of the
young?" St. John Chrysostom(+407)
With these words of St. John Chrysostom as our guide, the
Eastern Orthodox Scouting Commission and the Eastern
Orthodox Committee on Scouting seek to recognize and honor
not only youth members of the three national youth agencies
[Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., and Camp
Fire Boys and girls], but also to recognize outstanding
service by adults in the promotion and use of these programs
for our Eastern Orthodox young people.
The Prophet Elias (Elijah in the
English form) is traditionally held to be the greatest of the
Hebrew Prophets. He maintained the importance of the worship of
the true God in the face of pagan cults and temptations (I Kings
18) and upheld the claims of moral uprightness and social
justice (I Kings 21). His passing of his mantle to the younger
Eliasha showed that these teachings were to be continued. It is
in the image of the Prophet Elias that recipients of this award
pass on their religious heritage and teachings to younger
Eastern Orthodox members of these national youth agencies.
These national youth agencies provide programs which our
churches and other civic and religious groups may use in their
ministry and service to young people. The leader chosen by the
sponsoring group is the one who permeates the youth agency with
the meaning of the name "Elias" - "Yahweh is my God"; especially
since belief in God is one prerequisite to serving as a leader.
ELIGIBILITY:
The Prophet Elias recognition is for both:
1. Actively registered adult lay volunteers for at least 8 years
who serve young people in one or more of the three national
youth agencies: Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the
U.S.A., and Camp Fire Boys and Girls [whether sponsored by
Eastern Orthodox Churches or another sponsoring group], and
2. Adult members of other religious bodies who are active
registered leaders for at least 8 years of one of the three
national youth agencies who are performing an exceptional
service to Eastern Orthodox young people.
Recognition of an adult in either group is a true recognition of
devoted service, not merely an "honor" for someone serving as a
leader.
REQUIREMENTS:
Click here to download
the nomination form -
Adobe
Acrobat Required
1. A letter of recommendation from the Eastern Orthodox
Priest in the community served, and
2. A letter of recommendation from a professional Scouter
including the tenure as a registered adult Scouter, and
3. Complete the official application on the last page including
the proper signatures and addresses of the nominators. |
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