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On Thursday, July 4, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon traveled to St. Tikhon’s Monastery and Seminary to visit St. Tikhon’s Camp of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania. This year, the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania also welcomed approximately thirty campers from the Archdiocese of Washington.
Upon arrival, His Beatitude was welcomed by His Eminence Archbishop Mark, Archbishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, clergy, and camp director Mr. Dan Peck. His Beatitude spent the remainder of the day visiting with youth and speaking to classes. With the permission of Archimandrite Sergius (Bowyer), the wonderworking icon of St. Anna was brought from St. Theodosius Chapel to the pavilion for evening prayers so youth could venerate and pray before it. After evening prayers, His Beatitude joined campers in watching a fireworks display for Independence Day put on by Archimandrite Sergius and the monastic brotherhood.
On Friday, July 5, His Beatitude participated in various recreational activities throughout the day. In the afternoon, with the blessing of Metropolitan Tikhon, His Eminence Metropolitan Saba of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of America visited St. Tikhon’s. After a tour of the monastery and seminary grounds, His Eminence greeted camp participants and visited briefly with His Beatitude. In the evening, Fr. Timothy Hojnicki, camp chaplain, served Daily Vespers in the monastery church. At the conclusion of Vespers, His Beatitude blessed three icons of the Theotokos painted by teens over the course of two summers. After dinner, the campers put on a talent show, showcasing a variety of skills from acrobatics to singing and dancing.
On Saturday, the final day of camp, His Beatitude presided at the hierarchical Divine Liturgy celebrated at the monastery church. Concelebrating with His Beatitude was Archbishop Mark, Fr. Timothy Hojnicki, and clergy from the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania and the Archdiocese of Washington. At the Little Entrance, Archbishop Mark awarded Fr. Vjekoslav Jovicic the kamilavka. The liturgical responses were sung by a youth choir under the direction of Fr. John Black, and camp youth and counselors served in the sanctuary. At the conclusion of liturgy, Metropolitan Tikhon and Archbishop Mark offered thanks to the camp director, counselors, staff,and campers, and offered words of encouragement before camp officially closed.
