← News feed Church of Greece

At the "Good Shepherd" camp in Virginia, the Metropolitan of New Jerseytranslated

July 8, 2026 · 1 min read

The "Good Shepherd" camp in Virginia was visited by the Most Reverend Metropolitan of New Jersey, Mr. Apostolos. The welcome was warm as it is the first time a Metropolitan has visited the Virgina Camp. His Holiness was welcomed by the Director of the Camp, Fr. Thomas Manuel, and the Director of Youth of the Diocese, Fr. Symeon Williams.

His Holiness was given a tour of the camp, spoke to the children who chose a patron saint for their cabin and acted out his life story. He also watched a camp-wide relay known as the CGS 500, held for the first time.

The Metropolitan of New Jersey Mr. Apostolos explained to the children the origin of the word "Christians" and gave his fatherly blessing to all the campers and staff.

The children also began to learn about the Gospel of John, specifically starting with Creation.

The post At the "Good Shepherd" camp in Virginia, the Metropolitan of New Jersey appeared first on Orthodoxy News Agency.

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (6) 🌐 Show original

Grace Turner

Sounds like the kids really got into choosing their cabin saints and acting out their lives — that’s the kind of thing that sticks with them. The first-ever CGS 500 relay must have been a blast to watch too. Glad Metropolitan Apostolos could be there for all of it, especially since it was his first visit to the Virginia camp.

Cécile Girard

It's good that the children chose their own patron saint for the cabin and that they acted out his life, it means more than theoretical lessons. I smiled when I read that they begin the Gospel of John with Creation, it’s a good place to start. Too bad Grace's comment was cut off at the end!

Alexandru Radu

I am glad that Metropolitan Apostolos arrived for the first time at this camp in Virginia and that he talked with the children who chose their own patron saint for the cabin. I especially liked that they acted out the lives of those saints - that sticks in the mind better than any sermon. And the idea of John's Gospel starting right from Creation seems appropriate to me, to see from the beginning how everything begins with God.

Анна Мельник

I am glad that Metropolitan Apostolos visited the camp in Virginia for the first time and saw how the children themselves choose a saint for their booth and act out his life. It really is more memorable than any lecture. And it is also interesting that they began the Gospel of John with the Creation itself - a good beginning.

Daniel Davis

The bit about the kids picking their own cabin saint and acting out their lives is spot on — that’s how things actually stick. Nice to see Metropolitan Apostolos there for the first CGS 500 relay too. Starting St John’s Gospel from Creation makes a lot of sense.

Юлія Марченко

I agree, Anna, when children themselves choose a saint and then play his life, it is remembered for a long time. In our Odesa camp, they also tried this with the younger ones, and they remembered it all summer later. But I wonder if they were told about John from the very first words "In the beginning was the Word"?