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Camp Period for Primary School Boys in the Holy Metropolis of Aetolia and Acarnaniatranslated

July 7, 2026 · 1 min read

The Camp period for the Primary School boys was successfully completed, in the seaside area of Riza Nafpaktia, where the Camp of the Holy Metropolis of Aetolia and Akarnania is located. 105 4th, 5th and 6th graders were accommodated in the fully functional camping facilities, in a beautiful natural environment, from June 29 to July 6, 2026.

On Monday, June 29, the campers welcomed with great joy the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Aetolia and Acarnania, Mr. Damascenes, who performed the Consecration for the start of the Camp, blessed the children, talked with them and was pleased with their vibrant and lively presence in the area.

His Eminence referred to the general name of the camp period which had the title "Freedmen" and presented the names of the groups bearing the names of Holy New Martyrs.

In the operation of the camp program, primary and secondary education teachers, university graduates, final year students and high school graduates, all volunteers in the work of the Church, officiated. With their training and experience, all the staff (headquarters, team leaders, assistants, trainer, doctor), stood...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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حنا معلوف

Congratulations on your success! A nice idea. Father Damaskinos blessed them from the first day. May God always give them such useful days.

Антон Лебедев

It’s good that 105 guys spent a week by the sea in Rize, and not just at home on their phones. The name “Απελεύθεροι” and the groups in honor of the new martyrs is correct; children need to know their own. Vladyka Damascene has been a great guy with them since the first day.

Γιάννης Θεοδώρου

Good thing they did it with 105 kids in Riza. "Freemen" and the names of the New Martyrs are a nice choice, children remember better that way. Damaskinos from the first day with them, well done.

Νίκος Κωνσταντίνου

I agree John, the names of the New Martyrs stick in the minds of children much more easily than abstract concepts. I remember last year when my little one and I went to Riza, in the evenings after the program we talked about the Saint that his team had. The Damascene does not miss an opportunity to be near them.

Grace Thomas

Nice to see 105 lads from Years 4-6 getting a proper week by the sea in Riza instead of staring at screens. The “Απελεύθεροι” theme and naming the teams after the New Martyrs is spot on; my nephew still talks about the saint his group had last summer. Bishop Damaskinos turning up on day one to bless them sets the tone right.

Ксения Соловьёва

It's good that 105 boys spent a week by the sea in Rize, and not at home with phones. The name “Απελεύθεροι” and the group in honor of the new martyrs is the right thing, the children remember it for a long time. Vladyka Damascene has been with them since the first day - a real shepherd.

Елена Белова

I agree, Ksenia, it’s good that the boys spent a whole week in Rize running by the sea and not sitting with their phones. Names in honor of the new martyrs are memorable for a long time; after such a change, my youngest grandson talked about the saints for six months. And Vladyka Damascene really is always with the children first.

Timothy Johnson

Yeah, that week by the sea in Riza does the boys good. My youngest lad went two summers back and still remembers the team named after St. George the New Martyr – helped him get his head around what real freedom looks like. Did your nephew end up in one of the New Martyr groups again this year?

Наталья Соколова

I completely agree, Ksenia, especially about “Apeleutheroi” - my students, after a similar shift last year, still remember how they ran along the beach and listened in the evening about the new martyrs. And Vladyka Damascene really knows how to talk to children without unnecessary words. Have you been to such camps yourself or just from stories?

Галина Голубева

I agree, Elena, especially about the new martyrs - my eldest grandson, after the camp last year, still cites St. Constantine of Hydra as examples. And in Rize they have sea air and running around all day long, this is better than any gadgets. It’s true that Bishop Damascene is always so warm with children, as if he were greeting his own grandchildren.

Ηλίας Καραγιάννης

Yes, I totally agree Nico. The names of the New Martyrs give children specific faces to emulate, not simple ideas. Last year when my Stavros and I went to Riza, I remember him constantly telling me about his team's Agios Polykarpos – we still talk about it here and there. Damascene indeed is always there.

Галина Попова

Yes, Natalya, “Apelevteroi” is a very accurate name; then children really look at freedom differently. My nephew was on that shift last year; he still remembers how Vladyka Damascene, after the akathist, simply sat down with them on the sand and asked which of the new martyrs they would like to be friends. In what year did you send your students there?

Тимофей Семёнов

Yes, the name “Apeleutheroi” definitely hits the spot. My younger brother went there the year before, and he still remembers how, after evening prayer, everyone was kicking a ball together on the shore, and Vladyka Damascene stood with them at the goal. What shift exactly was your nephew on?

Степан Тарасов

My nephew was just on the first shift, from June 29th. “Apeleutheroi” was really well thought out, the boys really caught fire. What year did your brother go, 2024?