Direct Archdiocesan District Announces Purchase of new site for Camp St. Paul
04/19/2018
April 19, 2018
NEW YORK – On April 16, 2018, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios and members of the Camp St. Paul Committee closed on the purchase of the future site of Camp St. Paul at a cost of approximately $1,450,000. Since its inception 14 years ago, this successful camping ministry of the Direct Archdiocesan District of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has been leasing a site in Batam, Conn., and in 2016 because of its exponential growth, the camp leadership decided that the District needed to secure its own property to assure the continued success of this camping ministry.
Camp St. Paul was established in 2005 when under the guidance of the then D.A.D. Youth Director Fr. Constantine Lazarakis, Fr. Elias Villis was appointed Director with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios. In its first season, there were 45 campers in attendance during the one-week session. Over the years, it has now grown to over 790 individual registrations over five one-week sessions in 2017.
The tremendous response of the community to this camping ministry initiated a long and arduous task of identifying an appropriate site for the growing program. In November of 2015, His Grace Bishop Andonios, Fr. Elias Villis, Mrs. Jennifer Constantin, a realtor who offered her services pro-bono and Fr. Panagiotis Papazafiropoulos, Director of the District Youth and Young Adult Office, began the search. In December of 2016, the present property was located and the process towards the purchase began.
Situated near Warren, Conn., the bucolic site, abutting state parklands, includes 151 acres of beautiful scenic woodlands, a private 17-acre lake, smaller swimming pond, a dramatic natural amphitheater and trails for hiking. It was owned by the Thyberg Family and operated as a bible camp for over 50 years. It was the heartfelt wish of the family that the property continue to be used for this sacred purpose. They and the Direct Archdiocesan District worked closely together in finalizing and continuing this vision.
A team of volunteer attorneys led by John Louizos assisted by Harry Raptakis and Nikiforos Matthews, finalized the formidable legal process and the District, through its camp fund, was able to complete the transaction with a down payment of $588,000, with additional financing through Alma Bank. Moving forward, a Capital Campaign Committee will be appointed to raise the funds necessary to making the new site able to sustain the camping program, by replacing outdated buildings and addressing the infrastructure, which needs to be brought up to code.
As Camp St. Paul embarks upon its 14th year of operation there is great expectation and hope that this new site will enable the District to expand and enhance its ministry to the youth and young adults of the Church as well as other members of the community.
Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmhYZmRW
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“All Things are possible for those who believe,” Archbishop ’s Encyclical for the Greek Independence Day Parade in New York (2018)
04/18/2018
Protocol No. 34/18
April 18, 2018
Greek Independence Day Parade
To the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in the tri-state area
Beloved Omogeneia,
Christ is Risen!
It is with great joy that we anticipate our annual Greek Independence Day Parade this year, as we will gather on Sunday, April 22nd to march on Fifth Avenue in celebration of this Day and our precious heritage of freedom. In this celebration and the participation of our parishes throughout the region, we offer a visible witness of the strength of our heritage and the power of faith.
We have already commemorated the Feast of the Annunciation, which inspired our ancestors to accomplish the impossible--throw off centuries of oppression and be free. Through faith in God and hope for a better future, the impossible became possible. Through struggle and sacrifice, the people of Greece achieved freedom and the unlimited possibilities of liberty and self-determination.
As we gather for the Parade, we have just celebrated the glorious Feast of Pascha. Our joy affirms that our Risen Lord has defeated death. What seemed impossible has been overcome, and the unlimited potential of abundant and eternal life is offered to us. In our participation in the Parade, we will also commemorate a victorious struggle for independence that was inspired by faith and strengthened by the acclamation, with God nothing is impossible.
I invite all of our parishes in the region to join with us as we honor our legacy of freedom as Greeks and as Americans and the valor of our forbearers who longed for liberty and fought for freedom. May the fellowship we share and the witness we offer be a testimony to the power of faith and that all things are possible for those who believe.
I am waiting to see all of you at the Parade on April 22.
With paternal love in Christ,
† DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America