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Serron Theologos: "The contribution of church camps to the lives of our young people is great and essential"translated

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

The Church Camp "GALILEA" of the Holy Metropolis of Serres and Nigritis has opened its doors again this year, which is located in the green location of Chrysopigi Serres and hosts elementary, middle school and high school students who wish to know the joy of life in Christ, the devotional richness of our Church, the warmth of prayer, the study of God's word, play, singing, creative activities, interesting spiritual conversations, God's presence, the beauty of friendly conversion. At 11:30 in the morning on Thursday, July 2, 2026, High School-High School students, who are hosted during the current camp period (July 2-8), welcomed with great respect and great joy, the parish priest in Serres, Rev. Metropolitan of Nazareth, Mr. Kyriakos, who, at the request of the relevant Pastor, Mr. Theologian, performed the Consecration service at the beginning of this period.

After the end of the Sanctification, the person in charge of the operation of the Camp, panosiol. Archimandrite Fr. Nikitas Halemis and the Chief of the period, elder Ms. Chrysanthi Tziani-Korbou opened the beautiful gathering by presenting...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Василь Руденко

These camps are useful. I liked that the high school girls themselves met Bishop Kyriac of Nazareth and that after Agiasm they immediately started with concrete conversations, and not just with formalities. Let the children feel at least a little that the Church is not only a church on Sundays.

Anna Nováková

It's nice that the girls from the gymnasium and the lyceum themselves welcomed Metropolitan Kyriacus of Nazareth and started real conversations right after Agiasma. At our camp in the Beskydy, that's how it goes too - prayer, then a lively debate by the fire. Let those children return home with at least a piece of the joy of Galilee.

Ольга Бойко

I agree, Vasyl, it's good that the girls themselves met the bishop — this is no longer a formality, but a real thing. I also like it when after Agiasm they immediately move on to conversations, instead of dragging out the ceremony. Here in Odesa, on such outings, children also open up faster when they feel that they are being truly listened to.

Анна Мельник

I agree, Olga, it's good when children meet themselves and don't just stand there, but really rejoice. Here in the Lviv region, after Agiasm, we also immediately go for tea with cookies and a conversation, and then the questions from them come out more lively. And tell me, on your trips to Odessa, it often happens that the boys are more silent, or the girls are the other way around?

Іван Савченко

I agree, Anna, when the children are happy themselves, and not just perform, then the conversation is really lively. After Agiasm, we also often start with tea and simple questions, because otherwise the boys are silent for the first five minutes like partisans. And tell me, in your Lviv region, girls raise their hands more often first, or do they also need to be warmed up?

Наталья Беляева

In our camps near Tula, after Agiasm, we immediately put out tea and simple food, otherwise the children are ready to wash. It’s good that the girls themselves spoke to Vladimir Kiriak and that they immediately moved on to formalities, and not to formalities. In “Galilee” I would like you to notice a little bit that the Church is not just a church for weeks.

Леся Шевченко

I agree, Anna, after Agiasmu, tea with biscuits saves us too - immediately the conversation becomes easier. In our Serbian trips, boys are more often silent at the beginning, and girls, on the contrary, are the first to ask about the Gospel. And in your Lviv region, it often happens that after tea the boys also open up, or do you still have to touch them separately?

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ლევან აბაშიძე

I am glad that the girls themselves met with Metropolitan Kyriac from Nazareth and after Agiasm they immediately started talking. It is often the same in our Tbilisi camps - tea, bread and the first questions, if not, the boys are silent for at least five minutes.

Богдан Коваленко

Yes, Vasyl, those conversations after Agiasm are remembered the strongest. Here at Slobidka, the boys also immediately sat in a circle after the prayer and analyzed some passage from the Gospel - and you could see how their eyes lit up. In which camp did you see this?

Петро Шевчук

I agree, Anna, tea and biscuits after Agiasmus really loosens tongues. In our Vinnytsia group, girls are also the first to start a conversation, and boys join in later, when it comes to sports or how to build a tent. And tell me, do you in the Lviv Region often talk about the Gospel after such tea or more about daily affairs?

Сергій Лисенко

I agree, Olga, when children meet themselves and immediately start a conversation, it really turns out livelier. Here in Poltava region, after Agiasm, we also often start with a simple tea under the trees, and then the boys also open up, although at first they are more shy. And in Odessa, how do you encourage those who are silent at first?

Галина Панченко

Yes, Lesya, here in Vinnytsia, after Agiasm with tea and cookies, the boys also listen more at first, and then they themselves start asking about parables. But sometimes you have to touch them separately, because girls do open up faster. And on Serbian trips, what exactly do you offer them after tea to get the conversation going?

Дарина Савченко

I agree, Serhiu, when after Agiasm they immediately sit down for tea under the trees, children really open up faster. Here in Odesa, we usually ask the quiet ones to just draw or weave something simple at the first lesson, and only then they start the conversation themselves. And how many days does your shift last in Poltava Oblast?

Тетяна Марченко

Yes, Peter, after tea with cookies, the girls are also the first to open up, and the boys then talk about tents and the ball. But in our Vinnytsia group, we try to make sure that the Gospel sounds, even if it is not always the first number. And in your Lviv region, how often do you manage to move from everyday affairs to the word of God?

Світлана Ткаченко

Yes, Tatyana, we also often start with tea and talk about ordinary things, and only then go to the Gospel. In Poltava, at our meetings, the boys are the first to mention football, but if one of the elders asks "what did Christ say about that?", the conversation quickly turns. And tell me, how do you do it in Vinnytsia, so that the Gospel is not left for last?

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მარიამ გელაშვილი

I am glad, Levan, that it is the same with you in Tbilisi - tea, bread and questions. Our Ceres girls also really liked Metropolitan Kyriaki's words after Agiasm, especially when the conversation turned to family life. How long are the boys usually silent at your camps?

Тарас Шевчук

Yes, Peter, here in the Lviv region, after tea and cookies, it often starts with "how's school going" or "who won the match", but then usually one of the boys himself mentions some passage from the Gospel about friendship or about how Christ is with the disciples on the mountain. And tell me, in your Vinnytsia group, do you specially prepare some questions for such conversations, or does everything happen by itself?

Василь Олійник

Yes, Tatiana, here in the Poltava region, it often starts with fishing or gardening, and only then will someone ask about the parable. In our parish group, we try to have 10-15 minutes of reading the Gospel aloud after dinner, even if the children grumble at first. And tell me, how do you keep the attention of girls in Vinnytsia when they have already opened up about their affairs?

Юлія Марченко

I agree, Sergey, tea under the trees is the best start, because there is no rush. Here in Odesa, after Agiasm, quieter children often just sit down and listen, and we don't pressure, we give them time. And how long do you usually have such a first conversation before everyone opens up?

Олександр Ткаченко

I agree, Sergey, tea under the trees really helps. Here in the Lviv region, after Agiasm, we also often start with simple fishing in the pond near the church, and there the boys themselves start telling stories. And how do you in Poltava encourage those who are silent even at tea?

Людмила Шевченко

Yes, Svitlana, here in Vinnytsia, too, they often start with tea and conversations about cooking or walks in the park. And so that the Gospel is not postponed for the end, I simply ask the girls: "What do you think Christ would say about what we just discussed?" — and the conversation itself returns. And at your meetings in Poltava, do the boys themselves mention football or do you have to push them?

Наталія Коваль

Yes, Yulia, take your time - that's the main thing. Here in Sicheslav Oblast, after Agiasm, people often just sit on the grass with tea and take their time, and then start asking questions themselves. And how long does such a first quiet hour usually last for you in Odessa, until the children open up?

Yes, Taras, here in Vinnytsia, too, it often starts with simple conversations about school or kindergarten, and then turns to the Gospel itself. We do not prepare a list of questions in advance, because then the children feel as if they are in class, but the leader always has two or three passages in his head to throw up when necessary. And in your Lviv Oblast, the boys themselves often mention friendship in particular - which passage "sticks" to them the most?