St Seraphim Camp in the Pocono Mountains Comes to an End

As reported by Protopriest Alexis Duncan, St Seraphim Camp ended successfully in the early days of August. This year, over 250 Orthodox youth gathered in Pennsylvania from all corners of the USA, Canada and Europe.

Camp began on July 31 with a moleben before the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, brought to St Seraphim Camp by Deacon Dimitri Temidis. The following day, the feast day of St Seraphim, a moleben was served along with an akathist to the camp's Heavenly Protector. Every day, the camp's program began with morning prayers, followed by discussions and lessons in the Law of God, after which the campers participated in sports and crafts.

On August 4, the new myrrh-streaming icon of St Anna, Mother of the Theotokos, came with Hegumen Athanasy (Mastalski), Rector of the Church of Our Lady "Joy of All in Sorrow" in Philadelphia, PA. After the moleben before the icon, the campers listened with great interest as Fr Athanasy told of the icon's history.

On August 5, His Grace Bishop Gabriel of Manhattan visited St Seraphim Camp, holding several discussions with the children, and officiating at all-night vigil, and the following morning, Divine Liturgy, together with Protopriest Mark Burachek, Priest Alexis Duncan, Priest Brendan Crowley, Priest Peter Jackson and Priest John Moses, along with Deacon Michael Soloviev, Deacon Dimitri Temidis and Deacon Basil Milonov. During the minor entrance, in accordance with the decision of the Synod of Bishops, Bishop Gabriel awarded Priest Alexis Duncan to the rank of protopriest. The Holy Gifts were administered from two chalices.

After Divine Liturgy and trapeza, the young campers spent a long time saying their goodbyes, after which they all departed to their respective homes.