Holy Transfiguration Skete, Children's Camp 2010

Last Sunday, (18 July ns) on the Feast of St Sergius of Rodonezh the efforts of the children's camp at the Transfiguration Skete came to completion. The camp spanned two weeks, and was open to children of ROCA as well as others by invitation. A total of 42 children attended, largely from Montreal, but also from Toronto, Edmonton, Sherbrooke, Gatineau and even Moscow.

Each day began with morning prayer and ended with evening prayers. The focal point of camp life was the Church. While the children hiked in the forest, swam, played games and enjoyed singing and crafts - they also attended class in "the Law of God" each day with the exception of days when the Divine Liturgy was served. For these studies, the children were divided into three groups, based on age. Among the children were those who had attended such schooling before, had regularly Communed and can be described as "churched." There was also a representation of children who knew little of our Orthodox faith. Studies were conducted on a rotation by Frs. Kyrill Bartesovitch , Igor Grichinin and deacon Alexei Fimine.

During the camp, the Clergy served several vigils and Divine Liturgy. Nearly all participants received Communion. This was the first time for receiving the Divine Mysteries for several at the camp. Several boys were introduced to assisting in the Altar as altar-boys.

Now it is the responsibility for the parents and family of these children to continue the momentum. To grow, or at least not deplete the spiritual benefit these children received in the past weeks. It has occurred that a child who warmly embraces church and prayer life during the camp is not encouraged - sometimes even discouraged, by parents to continue in virtue once returning home. Certainly no effort is lost, and the impression made on a child will be of benefit during their lives. It is desirable however, to call to the attention of these parents whose children have begun to live in a "churched" manner here, that especially in these days of reigning untruth, to turn away from the open doors of the Church - moreover to turn a child away is inexcusable.

Our camp is one of good works. In other words, none of the organizers, leaders or helpers receives any financial gain. To the contrary, these people pay the way of their own children attending the camp, and donate their time off from work and even take time unpaid from work. This is only a part however. Our camp can't be compared to the scouting movement or other youth organizations. Here, due to a lack of helpers, each person took on himself the load of three. This in itself was a great blessing, as all this effort was directed for the harvest of God. For this we thank all the participants who assisted in the camp and will keep them in our prayers. We will also pray for all the children, perhaps especially for those who can not attend Church regularly. May our Lord strengthen them in our Holy faith, notwithstanding the difficulties and obstacles of the world, which due to their young ages are not in their control.

To conclude the following should be reiterated. As noted above, the entire camp experience focused around the Church. In one sense literally, around the Church of the Transfiguration of Christ and the adjoining cemetery. The children constantly saw the graves with Orthodox Crosses. Some of the classes in the Law of God took place at the cemetery. This helped to reinforce that our Lord is God of the living and the dead, and that in reality all are alive in Christ. That the difference between us and the dead, is merely in our temporary eyes.
In this cemetery, in addition to many pious believers rest several faithful Pastors and Arch-Pastors of our Church. Nearest the Alter reposes His Beatitude the Most Reverend Metropolitan Vitaly of blessed memory. Without His efforts in gathering the faithful and in assembling the Mansonville Skete, it is difficult to say if we would be currently able to live in this fullness of our Church ways. We prayerfully recall His memory and that of the others who gave their lives to the service of God, and now look on our feeble efforts, and assist us through their prayer and intercessions.