May 23 – June 5, 2016

We’ve created  for you a one of a kind tour to Spain, a unique and diverse European destination. Join us for an engaging two-week adventure that combines history, art, architecture, and religion.

For more information: http://orthodoxtours.com/our-tours/144-2016-grand-tour-of-spain.html

For more information: http://patristics.org/annual-meeting/call-for-papers/

The conference ‘Growing up Motherless in Antiquity: A Conference on Mother Absence in the Ancient Mediterranean’ will be held in Basel.

For further information: http://www.hsozkult.de/event/id/termine-28569
or http://www.aiep-iaps.org/conferences

St. Tikhon’s Monastery located in Waymart, PA and Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY have graciously opened their doors for participants in The Young Singers’ Conferences to attend one or both 3-day weekends of educational courses. These Conferences allow young singers (15-40y.o) to strengthen their abilities and sing the All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy in a monastery setting.

For more information: https://patraminstitute.org/events/

Join Orthodox Christians from the Maryland area for this retreat, which is open to all Orthodox youth (6th-12th grade), parents, youth workers (18 years and older), and young adults (ages 18-35)!

Time: 9:30am: Youth (6th-12th grade), Parents, and Youth Workers (18 years and older)
7pm: Young Adult (ages 18-35) Orthodoxy On Tap

Hosted by: Y2AM (The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries), the Metropolis of New Jersey Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, and the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation

For more information: http://acrod.org/news/7283/rosco-building-project-update

Dates: May 30 – Jun 4, 2016
Iconographer: Theodoros Papadopoulos

This six-day intensive course will immerse you in the painting techniques of Byzantium. The subject of the icon of “Mother of God” will come alive before you as the instructor, Theodoros Papadopoulos, guides you, step by step, through the ancient techniques of Byzantine Iconography. Let us journey together to discover new secrets in this traditional artistic expression of theology and spirituality, in this meeting place of the Divine. The course focuses on the art of egg tempera painting.

For more information: http://www.theodoreicons.com/san-francisco.html

 Jun 1 – 12, 2016

The twelve day itinerary will include both time at the beautiful campgrounds as well as excursions to the places that are the cornerstone of the Ionian Village travel program as outlined below. Each excursion has been carefully planned to incorporate aspects relevant to our inherited Hellenic and Orthodox heritage. Participants will be more than just tourists in Greece, they will come into close contact with the Orthodox faith and modern and historic Greek culture. Through a varied schedule that includes churches and monasteries, meetings with political and religious figures, and museums and archaeological sites, these young adults will become intimately familiar with all aspects of Greece and her culture and people.

For more information: http://www.ionianvillage.org/spiritual-odyssey

Family Camp at Camp Nazareth is exactly what it sounds like. Families “camping” together in the Camp cabins and participating in a weekend of services, games, discussions, activities and challenges that are all designed to help families deepen their relationship with God and with one another.

This year’s them – “Not letting Orthodoxy be your Family’s Secret Identity”. Our Family’s Orthodoxy is both Public and Private…sometimes our family has to be like Superman and sometimes like Clark Kent!!

Come enjoy with your family a weekend of prayer and fun in Christ. Space is limited to the first 10 families, so please send in your registration forms soon. They are due by Friday, May 20, 2016.

For more information: http://campnazareth.org/about/news/family-camp-2016

Our 2016 symposium for southern California will be on the important theme of the family in Orthodox life: family prayer, the rearing of children, the place of family in Orthodox worship, and many other connected themes. Click for full details and to register to join us.

For more information: http://www.sforthodoxinstitute.org/

SIX DAYS OF CREATION courses in icon painting provide intensive instruction in the art and language of the icon from the perspective of Orthodox Church tradition using the ancient technique of egg-tempera and palette of gold, semi-precious stones and refined clays. Iconographers Anna Gouriev and Marek Czarnecki lead students through the entire process, from preparing a gesso board to completion of an icon, including instruction on how to create pigments from natural clays and minerals, define the image with assiste gold lights, gild prescribed areas, calligraph inscriptions, and apply olifa varnishes.

For more information: http://www.hexaemeron.org/#!st-nicholas-ranch/c1xyp

                                               June 6 – June 18, 2016

For more information: https://www.facebook.com/cwla.forum/photos/a.215005912013491.1073741829.174476872733062/499387723575307/?type=3&theater

Russian Matryoshka dolls, often painted to depict peasants, have become an icon of Russian culture. The bright colors, distinctive shapes, and the imaginative concepts have delighted generations of children and are thoroughly recognizable to young and old alike. The Museum of Russian Icons is pleased to unveil the newest addition to its collection, a collection of nesting dolls from Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Japan and other countries. These dolls came to the museum through the generosity of collector Pamela Kruskal who gifted 370 sets to the Museum in the summer of 2015. The collection contains the story of the nesting doll which extends well beyond the well-known Russian dolls of the 20th century.

For more information: http://museumofrussianicons.org/en/special-exhibits/on-view/

Join Us!  All LEAD Program events will be held at our very own St. Stephen Retreat Center in Titusville, FL!
The LEAD Program is proud to announce its newest professional development initiative, LEAD Beyond! This conference will give attendees an opportunity to develop skills that will provide growth in all aspects of our personal, spiritual, and professional lives. The theme for this year’s conference will be “Dealing with Difficult Personalities”

For more information: http://www.theleadprogram.org/

Under the Auspices of our Beloved Father His Grace Bishop Youssef, we are pleased to announce the dates for the annual Florida Hymns Camp! June 12 -15 for the boys; June 20 -23 for the girls.

Hymns Camp serves all youth going to 4th to those going to 12th grade in the fall of 2016. God willing the camp will take place at the St. Stephen Retreat Center in Titusville, FL.

During the camp we will learn hymns, have fellowship with one another, and at the end of the camp we will go on a trip to Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

Cancellation Policy: Refunds will not be possible within three weeks of the boys hymns camp .

For more information:http://www.suscopts.org/hymnscamp/fl/info.htm

Hexaemeron Icon Carving Workshop

SIX DAYS OF CREATION courses in icon carving are open to 10 students at each site. This ancient art is taught through both practical work and theory. From the earliest sarcophagi to lavish ivory miniatures to the austere Russian low reliefs, icon carving has been a vibrant part of the Orthodox Tradition. Students will have the opportunity to carve either in wood or stone. Those wishing to carve in wood are expected to have a basic understanding of woodworking as the course will focus on carving rather than technical aspects like laminating panels or sharpening tools. Although tools will be available, students should bring whatever gouges they have, ideally 1 straight gouge, 1 scoop gouge and 1 “V” gouge. For those wishing to carve stone, tools will be made available. Each student is expected to leave with at least one finished icon by the end of the class.

For more information: http://www.hexaemeron.org/

A Sacred Journey Through Ukraine: Travel with Bishop Daniel Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA for a 14 Day All Inclusive Tour Kyiv • Chernihiv • Baturyn • Kaniv • Pereiaslav Khmelnytsky • Kamianets Podilsky • Dnister Riverboat Cruise • Bakota Monastery • Kytajhorod • Zarvanytsia • Ternopil • Pochaiiv • Lviv • Ivano Frankivsk • Maniavsky Skyt

http://www.uocofusa.org/files/PDF%20files_news/2016/2016-UOChurch.pdf

                                                                   Jun 17 – 28, 2016.  Georgia and Turkey.

Back by popular demand, this extraordinary and unique itinerary to the ruined cathedrals of Tao-Klarjeti promises to be even more successful than our 2014 pilot tour to the region.

For more information: http://www.georgianchant.org/tours/taoklarjeti/index.html

Cross Road Summer Institute is a ten-day academic summer institute  that prepares high school juniors and seniors to make big life decisions and connect with the Orthodox Christian theological and spiritual tradition.

For more information: http://www.crossroadinstitute.org/

OCA Pacific Northwest Deanery welcomes all kids ages 7-17 to the Summer Camp.

For more information and registration forms please visit their website: http://www.orthodoxportland.org/

The International Society for Orthodox Church Music (www.isocm.com) will host a pan-Orthodox music symposium at St Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral. The event will include presentations and workshops, music reading sessions, rehearsals, and will culminate in a festive hierarchical All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy.  The event will also feature a special concert by the critically-acclaimed vocal ensemble Cappella Romana.  For more information: http://www.romarch.org/news.php?id=5433

Theme: “Tradition, Secularization, Fundamentalism”

While the very meaning of the “secular” remains contested, Christians globally are self-identifying in different ways in relation to an imagined secularization, all the while discerning how to live as a tradition.  This intersection between tradition, secularization and fundamentalism is especially evident in both post-Communist Catholic/Orthodox countries and the American context, where fundamentalist-like responses have emerged against the perceived threat of the secular.

For more information: http://www.fordham.edu/info/23005/patterson_triennial_conference/7340/2016_tradition_secularization_fundamentalism )

We shall visit some of the most remote and authentic places connected with early Celtic Christianity. Some of these places have been uninhabited for centuries, with no touristic or religious routes linking them to other destinations. The pilgrimages organized by the Monastery are the only way one can visit these isles and pray to the Saints who lived here. Our Pilgrimages are not touristic journeys to the Hebrides, but spiritual opportunities to experience the presence of God in some of the oldest and most authentic Christian places in Western Europe. As far as possible, we shall celebrate the Divine Liturgy daily. In each place we shall visit, we shall pray together to the local Celtic Saints (Saints Columba, Oren, Kenneth, Patrick, Brigid, Brendan, Ninian etc), but we shall always put time aside for private prayer, so that we may wander on our own and allow these holy places to speak to each of us personally.

For more information:http://www.christoscenter.org/a-celtic-pilgrimage-to-iona/

This seminar is intended for individuals who currently serve our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ whether this be in the church, local community or in missions abroad.

With the blessings of the Episcopal Council of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America, the Youth Ministry Committee is pleased to announce the Tenth Annual Youth Conference to be held in Washington D.C. The theme of this year’s conference is “Orthodoxy’s Under Attack: How Other Faiths Try to Challenge Your Own!”

The conference is open to all high school students. Students are eligible for the summer prior to 9th through the summer following 12th grade

For more information: http://www.spc.rs/eng/10th_annual_youth_conference_be_held_washington_dc

Registration is now open for the Third Annual Diocesan Young Women’s Encounter which will take place at Sts Peter and Paul Church in Windber, PA which is open to young women in our Diocese ages 12-18,

This engaging experience will highlight how young women can live our Orthodox Faith and serve the Church with their own unique gifts. This year we are really looking forward to having Katrina Bitar with us. She is the YES North America Program Director (Youth Equipped to Serve) for FOCUS North America (Fellowship of Orthodox Christians United to Serve.)  Registration Deadline is June 1, 2016.

For more information: http://acrod.org/news/7283/ywe2016