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Hosting young people at the Dadia Monasterytranslated

July 5, 2026 · 1 min read

Under the anxious gaze of the Virgin Mary in the idyllic surroundings of the Dadia Forest, for about ten days, 50 young people from the Catechetical Schools of Didymoteicho and Orestiada were hosted in the facilities of the Dadia Monastery, under the supervision of Fr. Gavriel Heimonas and Fr. Antonio Antonakoudis. The Venerable Metropolitan of Didymoteicho, Orestia and Soufli, Mr. Damaschinos who visited the Monastery on the afternoon of Thursday, July 2, 2026., addressing our young people, emphasized that: "This hospitality in our Monastery is a gift of our local Church to the lives of our young people, because here, what they learn in Catechism these days is put into practice in everyday life. Through common life, cooperation, prayer and love, they learn to live as Christ wants, creating memories and spiritual experiences that will accompany them throughout their lives...". At the same time, he underlined that: "the Saints, whom the Catechetical groups have as patrons, are bright examples of life for everyone, while the spirit of coexistence is called to accompany them even after the end of the summer...".

Finally, His Holiness expressed his warm thanks to the Abbot...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (16) 🌐 Show original

Ειρήνη Κωνσταντίνου

I am glad that the children from Didymoteicho and Orestiada stayed ten days at Dadia Monastery. It's nice that Despot Damascenes emphasized that what they learn in the Catechetics is put into practice in everyday life there. I hope they keep something of the prayer and cooperation after the summer.

Стоян Марков

It's good that the children stayed together for ten days, that they learn to cooperate and really approach each other. Ο Δεσπότης Δαμασκηνός correctly said that in the monastery the words of the Catechist become a daily practice. I hope that in time something similar will happen.

Олександр Савченко

It's good that the children stayed ten days at the Δαδιάς Monastery and not only listened to prayer and cooperation, but did it every day. Ο Δεσπότης Δαμασκηνός correctly said that there the words of the Catηχιτικό become practical - it remains. I hope that in the future they will find a place for another such group.

Δέσποινα Χατζή

I agree Irene, their ten-day stay there is a big school in itself. Especially since Fr. Gabriel and Fr. Antonios were always with them, the children learned to cooperate in the simple things, such as at the table and in the work of the forest. Have you ever sent girls from the Catechetics of Volos to such a program?

Методи Костов

I agree, Standing. Ten days together at Dadas really makes a difference - my children, having been at a similar camp years ago, then all winter talking about the morning prayer together. It's good that the Bishop emphasized it. And do you often go fishing to these places?

Наталія Марченко

Yes, it's good that the children didn't just listen, but lived it for ten days in Dadiya. I liked how Bishop Damascene said that the words from the catechism become action in daily life - it is really memorable. Have you been to this monastery yourself, or have you only heard from acquaintances?

Тодор Иванов

I agree, Stoyane, ten days in the monastery really remain in the memory. And I, as a driver, often pass by Dadas and think how nice it is for children to get used to common prayer and work, instead of just listening. And what do you think, will they be able to organize something similar in the fall?

Максим Шевченко

Yes, Natalia, this is exactly the power - when prayer and obedience become a habit for ten days, and not just a lesson. I took a group of our boys there last year, so I saw how they stayed to help in the kitchen after the evening service. And how do you know about Dadiya, through catechists or were you there personally?

Теодора Василева

I agree, Todore, the ten days in the monastery are really memorable - my little one often remembers how they all swept the yard together after prayer. For the fall, I think it can be done if Mr. Gavriil and p. Antony finds a free weekend because the children are at school during the week. Since you pass by often, have you seen if the monastery has any rooms available then?

Людмила Шевчук

Yes, Natalya, exactly what the Bishop said about the transition of words into daily life, stuck in my heart the most. I myself went there last year with the girls from our parish and saw how, after a joint prayer, they themselves began to clean the refectory without a reminder. Are you planning to take your catechists with you someday?

Марія Ткаченко

Yes, Maxim, obedience in the kitchen after service is the best school. Last year, my son traveled with a catechizing group from Orestiada and also told how they were left to clean up after dinner. And from which parish did you take the boys, from Didymotikh or from Orestiada?

Тетяна Кравченко

Yes, Maria, obedience in the kitchen really teaches more than words. My son also went on this trip from Orestiada last year and still remembers how he and Maxim washed cauldrons after dinner. Do you often take children to the monastery for such camps?

Yes, Tatyana, everything in the kitchen is really memorable for a long time. My grandson also brought back a story from there, how in the morning they collected firewood for the stove, and in the evening they baked bread themselves. And tell me, is Maksym still with that group or have they moved to different cities?

Наталія Коваль

Yes, Tatyana, obedience in the kitchen really teaches more than words. My son also helped clean the vegetables for a joint dinner last year and still remembers how everyone laughed together when their potatoes fell out of the bucket. And tell me, did you and he go there together or did he go by himself?

Дарина Савченко

Yes, Natalia, working together in the kitchen is really memorable for a long time. My daughter also went alone last year, without me, and came back with a lot of stories about how they cleaned up after the meal together. Is your son planning to go again this year?

Сергій Кузьменко

Yes, Darina, working together in the kitchen is the best teacher. My daughter also told me last year how the two of them, together with other children, turned everything into a game and laughter by washing the dishes after dinner. And what did your daughter remember most about cleaning or something else?