Day 10 – June 2017

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On the last full day of CrossRoad the participants spent the day at the beach and upon their return, they were given an opportunity to reflect on all they learned in Stage 3. After, they participated in a closing session and then had an opportunity to share their talents with one another in a group talent show! Wow, you have some talented children!!!
We were sad to say goodbye to this amazing, smart, talented, and wise group of students. We have grown to love them dearly and have been so inspired to watch them “take the challenge” of CrossRoad. We hoped they returned spiritually refreshed, rejuvenated, and not too tired!

Day 9 – June 2017

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Yesterday, after celebrating Divine Liturgy on campus, the CrossRoaders heard part two of Dr. Rossi’s talk. In the afternoon they were given an opportunity to serve their elderly neighbor, another neighbor that is often marginalized. The participants went to two different nursing homes and spent time talking and engaging in activities with the elderly. It brought the residents much joy to have so many loving visitors!

In the evening we enjoyed a special visit from Fr. Luke Veronis who gave a talk on his experiences serving as a missionary in Africa and Albania.

Day 8 – June 2017

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Early yesterday morning, the participants woke up and went into Cambridge to break bread with the homeless. In small groups of one staff member with 3-4 students, the CrossRoaders approached people, bought them breakfast, and sat and ate with them, learning about their lives and getting to know them. It was an extremely moving experience for all. It is very profound to acknowledge Christ in the face of a neighbor that we often overlook.

After naptime, the participants engaged in the staff-led session, “Sanctification of Time”. In the evening, we had the blessing of hearing a talk on Prayer & Purity by our beloved, Dr. Albert Rossi, who has been a CR guest speaker since the first program in 2004.

The participants have been busy learning how to take the information they have received over the past week and put it into action by serving Christ and neighbor!

Day 7 – June 2017

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Yesterday, the CrossRoaders had their last day of theology classes, which included some time for Q & As with the professors. Following the lectures, the participants had an opportunity to participate in a variety of activities during structured free time. We were also joined by Be the Bee’s Steven Christoforou from Y2AM via a video call who shared with the students his perspective on vocation.
The participants then visited St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church where they had a Paraklesis service and listened to a talk by the parish priest.
Last evening was the end of Stage 2, “Vocation and Christ.” The participants were again given the chance to journal and reflect on all they learned during Stage 2. Many of the CrossRoaders got up in front of their peers and shared their reflections. We closed the night by preparing for Stage 3, “Vocation and Christ in the Face of the Other.” They were challenged to answer the question, “who is my neighbor” and explored what it means to serve our neighbor.

Day 6 – June 2017

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Yesterday the participants engaged in their third day of Theology and Scripture courses! They are learning so much and are asking many wonderful questions. The staff has been really impressed with their participation in discussion groups.

Following the lectures, we took our second adventure into downtown Boston, where we had lunch and walked around Faneuil Hall, one of the oldest, most historic sites in the country!

Last evening, we ventured into Boston to visit St.  Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church in Cambridge where had vespers and enjoyed dinner together!

Day 5 – June 2017

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Yesterday, we had our second day of theology and scripture classes which have sparked thoughtful and insightful questions and comments from the participants! Following the lectures, the CrossRoaders had a chance to visit the HCHC bookstore and then participated in an interactive staff-led session on the topic of Faith & Science.
Last evening we ventured into Boston to visit Holy Resurrection Bulgarian Orthodox Church where we celebrated vespers and enjoyed a meal. This was followed by a very special staff-led session in the Holy Cross Chapel titled, “Night with the Saints.” In this session, the participants were divided into small groups to “meet” different Saints, venerate icons and relics in the Holy Cross Chapel, and learn what sainthood means. The takeaway of the evening was that every person has the opportunity and calling to be a Saint.

Day 4 – June 2017

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Yesterday the participants had their first day of theology and scripture classes with Fr. Harry Pappas (Associate Professor of Scripture at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary) and Dr. Demetri Katos (Dean and Professor of Religious Studies at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology). Small staff-led break out discussion groups followed their theology and scripture lectures.
 
We were also blessed to have a special visit from Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese!
 
Following the lectures, we took our first adventure into downtown Boston where we had lunch at the Boston Common, the oldest park in the country, followed by a tour of the city. The evening concluded with a talk and vespers service at Holy Trinity, OCA Church in Boston.
 
It was a full day of fun, learning, and growing close as a group!

Day 3 June 2017

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Yesterday morning after Orthros, the participants explored the magnitude and beauty of God’s creation through the interactive session, Sanctification of Creation. In the afternoon, we had an engaging interactive session on popular culture and technology which was followed by a tour and talk at St. Mark’s Coptic Church.

In the evening Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou (International Relations at Tufts University offered an engaging session on the topic of Orthodoxy in the Public Square.

Yesterday evening completed stage 1 of CrossRoad. All of the participants were invited to share their reflections on the first stage of CrossRoad, “Wrestling with Vocation.” It is very moving to hear how much they participants are learning already!

They are all really engaging with the content as well as growing close as a group. The laughter in the cafeteria and on the bus is such a joyful sound to hear! Please continue to keep us all in your prayers.

Day 2- June 2017

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The CrossRoaders started their day with Orthros and Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross Chapel.
After Liturgy and breakfast we headed up north to a ropes course run by Project Adventure where we engaged in some great team-building activities.
After the ropes course, we returned to HCHC and participated in a session run by CrossRoad Director, Dn. Mike Tishel, on vocation. The CrossRoaders are invited to consider vocation 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.”

Day 1- June 2017

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Greetings from the campus of Hellenic College Holy Cross! We are excited to send you this update from the opening day of CrossRoad as participants arrived excited and ready to “take the challenge” of CrossRoad! They come from 20 states across the US  – from California to Pennsylvania, Wyoming to Florida.

While half of our staff greeted participants at Logan Airport the other half of the team stayed on campus to assist the participants with getting settled in the dorm, taking tours of campus, and getting to know each other. We attended Vespers in the Holy Cross Chapel and then after dinner began icebreaker activities. With lots of laughter, the group started to get to know each other!

Following icebreakers we learned more about one another’s strengths utilizing the StrengthsFinder inventory that each participant took prior to coming to CrossRoad. The participants broke down into smaller groups to discuss the results of the StrengthsFinder activity and how they might develop these strengths in their daily lives.