As Orthodox Christians we should each strive to make, in addition to making a resolution for self-improvement, one that involves helping others. This could mean helping out within our Greek community, a worldwide organization, or the less fortunate in our own city. With the new year following the Christmas season, a time characterized with overindulgence and the importance of materialistic gifts, I also struggle with making new year’s resolutions that will benefit others as well as myself. I believe it is important to think of others, and start the new year off on a good note, by including those in need in your new year’s resolution, as well as yourself.

Written by Angela French, VP Central

We hear it all the time from the priests. We do not worship Icons, we venerate them. For those who do not know what venerate is Google defines it as a Verb: “to regard with great respect; revere.” Icons are representations of the past. They depict moments in the lives and portraits of Saints, the Virgin Mary, Joseph, Jesus and many more. Growing up, I grew up in a house where Icons were in every room, even today, in my own house, I have Icons in every room (what Greek Orthodox house does not have an Icon in every room?). It is hard to explain in words, so in terms you could understand, I fought with my doctor the day of my surgery to allow me to have a “travel size” icon in the surgery room with me. That’s how safe I feel when an Icon is near me. I have travelled to various Orthodox churches in Canada, USA and Greece. There’s nothing more beautiful to me than walking in a church that has Icons painted or hanging on every surface. I feel at home, at peace, safe.

When and how did all this start? I have a cousin who is a monk in Greece. He is an Iconographer and I have seen some of his work. We have not spoken in a couple years now but the last time we spoke he was telling me of his love for his work. What the Icons represented to him while he was working on them. I have never heard anyone in my life speak so passionate and respectful about anything in my life. Instantly I started to look at Icons differently. They weren’t just some picture some person had drawn depicting a life, they represented so much more. This had me thinking, if an Icon to me represented home, peace and safety, what does an Icon represent to others? I tell my students to use looking eyes when we are exploring our surroundings, so I say the same to you, use looking eyes to venerate the Icons around you. Next time you are in Church, or have a free moment in your house, walk around and look at the Icons. Really look at them, the way the Virgin Mary holds Jesus in her hands, the way your Saint is profiled and think “if this Icon could represent 1000 words, what would these words be to you.”

I look back at this picture and my recent experiences and can honestly say this one picture speaks a thousand words to me and how happy I am to say Thank You to God for my life. I look at the Icons hanging in my house and regard them with the utmost respect for the lives of the people they depict.

Recognize the acres of diamonds around you and remember to turn on the flash.

Written by Maria Karadakis, Member

As mentioned by Charlie Brown, the true meaning of Christmas and the only real joy is giving. However, it is not necessarily giving material goods but rather giving thanks and appreciation for what we have and who we have in our lives. Show your friends and family your appreciation by giving simple things such as helping them around the house or during times of need. Give gifts of kindness to the people around you and not just during the Christmas season.

Finally, use this time to reflect on the past year and be grateful for all the tiny gifts and opportunities you have been blessed with. Figure out what were your greatest gifts and challenge yourself in the new year to see if you can return these gifts and kindness to the people around you! In your families, groups of friends, youth groups and church communities see what you can come up with for answers and examples of what the true meaning of Christmas is.

 written by Chrisanthe Papavasiliou, Secretary

At first, I was very uneducated about the camp and wanted to learn more. I quickly realized that the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America ran Ionian Village. Reading more about the basic history and cultural significance of this camp only intrigued me.

Having mentioned IV to my parents many times, they responded how most parents do, “Oh that sounds great! But find some more information about it.” Through the website I was able to educate myself and soon enough I was registered and about to experience the best summer of my life, without even knowing it.

After numerous attempts of packing, I was finally on my way to Greece! Although I have been fortunate enough to go to Greece many times before, I had never been to this area of Greece. It was all so exciting to go and have new experiences! Upon arriving, I had never been greeted by strangers so warmly. The counsellors jumped at every opportunity to learn names, ask about your life back at home, and share how excited they were for our summer adventures to begin!

Once we thought all the traveling was done we hopped on a bus to Ionian Village, which turned out to be a five hour long drive…as tired as we were, the counselors did not allow us to sleep!

They wanted us to get used to the time change, which was very smart and I am thankful they did. There was not a single second while at camp that I was bored or did not have something productive to do. Getting into routine was easy thanks to the camp director Fr. Evagoras; he made it his mission to keep the vision of Archbishop Iakovos alive, which was “to preserve faith in Greek Orthodox youth.”

A typical day at IV began with an early wake up call and reminder that YOU ARE IN GREECE and to be excited! By 8:00am the camp congregates by the chapel, which is located in the centre of the camp – representing the centre of our lives, which is our faith – for a Matins service. Following Matins, breakfast is served! After each meal and snack we clean up altogether. At 9:00am your cabin travels together to your first activity of the day, each cabin is rotated through four different activities throughout the day. At 11:00am it’s FREE SWIM TIME! This was always something to look forward to because of the hot weather as many of you know already. The camp is equipped with an Olympic size swimming pool, which was only used a few times for poolside parties. The beach was always the preferred option!

After swimming, the hunger sets in and we all pray and get seated for lunch. We all have siesta time which you begin to realize is much needed. At 3:00pm wake-up call, your cabin does another activity. By 5:30pm you are given supervised free time and shower time! For 7:00pm we are gathered around the chapel again for a vespers service, with dinner to follow. At roughly 8:30pm we have an evening activity that ranged from all camper games/races to glendi Greek nights!There were days during the summer when the camp went on day excursions instead of staying on the camp site. We went to various sights and monasteries, even a surprise Sakis Rouvas concert!

A specific monastery that touched me personally was St. Nektaryos. We visited him on the island of Aegina; he is the patron saint of cancer. In Aegina the monastery was where St. Nektaryos lived. We were given the opportunity to walk through his home and see his personal belongings. Including his bed, living room, hand made tables and much more. Before entering I began to sob, my nana was diagnosed with breast cancer recently and I could not help but think of her constantly. I was so overwhelmed yet drawn to his home. After touring his house we then were able to go and venerate St. Nektaryos’ tomb and relics. The belief is that if a person is in need of St. Nektaryos’ mercy they are to place their ear on his tomb and ask for help. For some, they say you hear a knocking back, and I am definitely a person who experienced this unbelievable response. As a gift back from Greece, I brought my nana holy water and oil from St. Nektaryos, and I was just recently told that my nana is now cancer free.

Some kids this age need proof of the faith; I know that I myself personally fall under that category. By venerating the different saints I was able to visually see our wonderful faith in a more tangible manner. One thing I truly loved about IV was the unity everyone had. I felt that everyone was on the same page. Friends were therefore easy to make because we had so much in common, from our Greek heritage to our Orthodox faith, to all the experiences we were going through in our lives at the time.

I am thankful for my Greek roots and community who have helped me develop my culture. And I am truly blessed to have been able to go to this camp, my parents made this experience 100% possible for me. It was truly the greatest summer of my life.

written by guest blogger Christine French

For the past two assemblies, I attended them as a participant and fully enjoyed both experiences in St. Catharines and Ottawa. Coming out of these assemblies, I have left with amazing memories, great friendships, and also an even stronger bond with our religion and culture.

After having attended both of these assemblies and coming away with tremendous experiences, I was motivated to be a part of the behind the scenes action and thus I joined the youth board in September 2010. Along with 9 other members, we have come together every month since then and been hard at work, planning the regional (four hosted last year – Toronto in April, Victoria in May, Halifax in May, and Winnipeg in May) and national youth assemblies. From the small snack times, to the goodie bags you receive upon arrival, you’d be amazed at the time and effort that goes into it. With this year’s assembly taking place in Vancouver and on Canada Day long weekend, your youth board is determined to make this a very memorable assembly featuring special guests and events, and lots more to come. Stay tuned for more news as this will be an assembly you simply won’t want to miss!

written by Kosta Georgakakos, VP Eastern Canada