CR 2018 Session Two: Day 9

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Yesterday, after celebrating Orthros on campus, the CrossRoaders heard part two of Dr. Rossi’s talk, “Prayer and Purity.” At lunch time they were joined by some of the supporters of CrossRoad, and talked about their aspirations and vocation.

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.



CR 2018 Session Two: Day 8

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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 a 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!

CR 2018 Session Two: Day 7

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Yesterday, the day began with a celebration of Divine Liturgy at the Holy Cross Chapel and was followed by their last day of theology classes, which included some time for Q & As with the professors. Following the lectures, we took a tour and heard a talk at St. Mark’s Coptic Church.

Last evening was also 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. So much good learning, and we are thankful to be together in this wonderful community.

CR 2018 Session Two: Day 4

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Yesterday morning after Orthros, the participants reflected on Scripture and Theology as Dr. Bruce Beck, interim Dean of Hellenic College, and Dr. Despina Prassas, Associate Professor of Theology at Providence College presented their class discussions.

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 visit to Clergy Laity! While we were there, we had the joy of running into His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco and a few CrossRoad Alumni!

The evening concluded with vespers service at Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral Boston and a discussion led by Fr. Turbo on, “Orthodoxy in the Public Square.”

It was a joy to see the group build such a fun dinamic as we journeyed through our busy day.

CR 2018 Session Two: Day 3

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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. That morning, the participants also enjoyed an Emmaus Walk, which served as an opportunity to walk around campus with a new friend! 

In the afternoon, we had an engaging, interactive session on Orthodox Anthropology, followed by a visit to St. Nectarios Church, and a presentation on Pop Culture & Technology in the evening. 

We filled the day with dancing, laughter, and great memories as we had a cookout, scavenger hunt, and watched the Boston fireworks in celebration of the Fourth of July throughout the day!

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.” 

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

CR 2018 Session Two: Day 2

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After starting their day with Orthros at Holy Cross Chapel, we participated in the second part of our StrengthsFinder reflection where the students were able to share their strengths by acting out skits!

We then headed to Project Adventure where we engaged in some great team-building activities through challenging high and low ropes courses.

After the ropes course, we returned to HCHC in the evening and participated in a session run by CrossRoad Director, Father Mike Tishel! He introduced the topic of 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.” The participants were invited to reflect on this perspective as they as themselves the question, “Who am I?”

CR 2018 Session Two: Day 1

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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 19 states across the US and Mexico – from Nevada to Pennsylvania, Colorado to North Carolina.

While half of our staff greeted participants at the Boston Logan Airport, the other half of the team stayed on campus to welcome the participants into the dorms and show them around campus. Later in the evening attended Vespers in the Holy Cross Chapel and then after dinner began icebreaker activities. With lots of laughter, the group began to build joyful friendships!