CR 2019 Session Two: Departure Day

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Our time together has come to an end. The participants returned home with wonderful memories they made together at CrossRoad! 

On our final day together, the participants and staff went to their last Orthros service followed by a final reflection on the CrossRoad experience. The past 10 days were impactful for all of the CrossRoaders, professors, and staff! 

We pray the participants take the many lessons they learned, apply them to their parishes and communities, and continue to explore their unique and ongoing vocation in Christ. 

We would like to thank all of the donors, clergy, professors and the staff for making session 2 unforgettable and for helping bring the participants closer to Christ and the Church! And, of course, thank you to the parents who allowed their sons and daughters to join the CrossRoad family through this Christ-centered program!

CR 2019 Session Two: Departure Day

CR 2019 Session Two: Day 10

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After Orthros and breakfast, the participants had the opportunity to write thank you notes to the many supporters of CrossRoad who helped make this summer possible.

Afterwards, we headed to Singing Beach in Manchester-By-The-Sea, MA. The CrossRoaders enjoyed lunch, ultimate frisbee, swimming, and, of course, some singing on the sand. On the way back to campus, the staff surprised the participants with ice cream at Captain Dusty’s Ice Cream! 

When we returned, the participants were then given an opportunity to reflect on all they learned in their final stage of CrossRoad. It was truly inspiring to hear how their definition and view of their ‘neighbor’ had changed over the course of a few days. After their reflections, the staff provided various Orthodox organizations and resources that the participants can take advantage of after they leave CrossRoad. 

To finish off their last night together, we hosted an Open Mic Night. It was great to see all of the participants perform their talents!

CR 2019 Session Two: Day 10

CR 2019 Session Two: Day 9

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After Orthros, the participants continued their lessons with Dr. Albert Rossi on “Prayer & Purity”.

In the afternoon, we departed for two local nursing homes, the Sherill House and the Rogerson House, where the CrossRoaders spent time with their elderly neighbor. The residents were overjoyed by the participants’ smiling faces and caring presence.

For lunch, we were blessed to have a few supporters of CrossRoad join us for a meal and conversation about why they support CrossRoad.

The evening concluded with a staff-led session that involved exploring vocation and daily struggles.

CR 2019 Session Two: Day 9

CR 2019 Session Two: Day 8

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Early Tuesday morning, the CrossRoaders and staff went to Cambridge to break bread with the homeless. In small groups, the CrossRoaders approached people on the streets, offered them breakfast, and joined in conversation to learn about their lives. It was an enlightening experience for all. It is profound to acknowledge Christ in the face of our neighbor, especially those that we often overlook.

In the afternoon, the participants engaged in the staff-led session, “Sanctification of Time”. Afterwards, we had the blessing of listening to our beloved Dr. Albert Rossi, a CR guest speaker since the beginning of CrossRoad in 2004, talk about Prayer & Purity.

The participants have been busy learning how to act upon the lessons they learned in the classroom!

CR 2019 Session Two: Day 8

CR 2019 Session Two: Day 7

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In the morning after Orthros, the participants had their final classes with Fr. Pappas and Fr. Rentel. They also had the opportunity for Q & As with the professors following both lectures. 

For our afternoon activity, we departed for historic Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market where they ate lunch and explored local shops and stores! Afterwards, we visited the beautiful St. Sava’s Serbian Orthodox Church in Cambridge, MA for a vespers service, a talk, and dinner. 

Monday evening concluded the second Stage of CrossRoad: “Who is Christ?” The participants were given the opportunity to reflect on their experiences with Stage 2 and what they learned.  We ended the night by introducing Stage 3 – “Who is our Neighbor?” – where the CrossRoaders contemplated what it means to serve others and see the face of Christ in their neighbor.

CR 2019 Session Two: Day 7

CR 2019 Session Two: Day 6

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On Sunday morning, the participants attended Orthros and Divine Liturgy at the Holy Cross Chapel. Following, they had their third scripture and theology classes with Fr. Harry Pappas and Fr. Alexander Rentel. The participants are really engaging the courses and proposing thought-provoking questions. 

In the afternoon, we visited St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church in Natick, MA where the CrossRoaders learned about the Coptic Orthodox tradition and shared a meal made from members of the St. Mark community! 

For our evening session, we enjoyed a special visit from Fr. Luke Veronis who shared his missionary experiences in Africa and Albania.

CR 2019 Session Two: Day 6

CR 2019 Session Two: Day 5

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In the morning, the CrossRoaders continued with their scripture and theology courses with Fr. Harry Pappas and Fr. Alexander Rentel. Following the lectures and small discussion groups, the participants had the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful weather, share music and play sports around the campus of HCHC during structured free time! They also partook in a captivating session entitled “Faith and Science”. 

In the evening, we attended Holy Epiphany Russian Orthodox Church in Roslindale, MA where the CrossRoaders got to enjoy some angelic Slovanic chanting!

The night concluded with an interactive staff-led session in the Holy Cross chapel where participants were invited to learn about the lives of the saints, share their encounters with saints, and venerate relics. The takeaway of the night is that we are all called to sanctification.

CR 2019 Session Two: Day 5

CR 2019 Session Two: Day 4

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On Friday morning, the participants had their first day of scripture and theology classes with Fr. Harry Pappas (Associate Professor of Scripture at St. Vladimir Orthodox Seminary, guest professor at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology) and Fr. Alexander Rentel (Chancellor of the Orthodox Church of America. Before becoming the OCA Chancellor in 2018, Fr. Rentel was the Assistant Professor of Canon Law and Byzantine Studies, and the John and Paraskeva Skvir Lecturer in Practical Theology at St. Vladimir Orthodox Seminary). Following each lecture, they broke out into small staff-lead discussion groups. 

In the afternoon, we ventured to the Boston Common, the oldest park in the country, for lunch and some outdoor fun! Then, we enjoyed the aerial views of Downtown Boston from the 50th floor of the Prudential Center!

After our Boston sightseeing, we went to Sts. Constantine & Helen in Cambridge, MA for a beautiful Paraklesis service and dinner. 

When we returned to campus, we sat down with Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou, (a professor of International Relations at Tufts University and religious freedom and human rights activist) who offered an engaging session on the topic of “Orthodoxy and Public Activism .”

CR 2019 Session Two: Day 4

CR 2019 Session Two: Day 3

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After Orthros, the participants explored the beauty of God’s creation in a session called “Sanctification of Creation”. Following, they enjoyed an activity inspired by the story of the road to Emmaus which served as an opportunity to walk around Jamaica Pond with a new friend!

In the afternoon, they had a session on “Orthodox Anthropology” followed by a visit to Holy Resurrection Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Allston, MA for a talk and vespers service.

In the evening, the CrossRoaders also engaged in a session on “Pop Culture & Technology.” The evening concluded with Independence Day festivities consisting of Orthodox Trivia and watching the fireworks over the skyline of Boston with popsicles in hand! It was a beautiful, festive, and faithful day!

Yesterday evening marked the completion of Stage 1 of CrossRoad. All of the participants were given the opportunity to share their reflections with their fellow CrossRoaders. It is amazing to hear how much they have learned in just a couple days!

CR 2019 Session Two: Day 3

CR 2019 Session Two: Day 2

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After Orthros at the Holy Cross Chapel, the participants began Stage 1 of CrossRoad — “Who Am I?” — with an introspective session called StrengthsFinder. The CrossRoaders were urged to learn about their God-given strengths and how they can develop them to glorify God. 

Then, they departed for the ropes course to engage in collaborative team-building exercises. The participants worked together to complete various tasks including a high ropes challenge!

After the ropes course, we returned to HCHC for a session that introduced and integral aspect of Stage 1: Vocation. The participants were invited to understand vocation, from the lens of Orthodoxy, as “your unique and ongoing response to Christ’s call to love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself.” 

CR 2019 Session Two: Day 2