Kyriakos Bournis on April 19, 2013

In February, the Boy Scouts of America embarked on the most comprehensive listening exercise in its history to consider the impact of potential changes to its membership standards policy on the organization and gather perspectives from inside and outside of the Scouting family. This review created an outpouring of feedback from the Scouting family and the American public, from both those who agree with the current policy and those who support a change.

Scouting’s review confirmed that this remains among the most complex and challenging issues facing the BSA and society today. Even with the wide range of input, it is extremely difficult to accurately quantify the potential impact of maintaining or changing the current policy. While perspectives and opinions vary significantly, parents, adults in the Scouting community, and teens alike tend to agree that youth should not be denied the benefits of Scouting.

In May, the National Executive Committee is asking its approximately 1,400 voting members to consider a proposed resolution that would remove the restriction denying membership to youth on the basis of sexual orientation alone and would maintain the current membership policy for all adult leaders of the Boy Scouts of America. The resolution also reinforces that Scouting is a youth program and any sexual conduct, whether heterosexual or homosexual, by youth of Scouting age is contrary to the virtues of Scouting.
Read the Proposed Membership Standards Resolution.

Sokratis Galitsis on April 16, 2013

2013 Camporee Book

It’s mid-March. That means Phase 2 of the Boy Scouts of America’s three-month family discussion has shifted into high gear.

The BSA calls this phase “Listening,” and that’s exactly what the organization is doing. Scheduled to last from March 1 to April 5, the phase includes, in addition to a lot of conversations with a lot of people, a 13-question Voice of the Scout survey, recently sent to about 1.1 million registered volunteers and Scout parents.

The questions, which you can read below, were designed to help committees review the beliefs and concerns of two groups of stakeholders critical to this process: Scouters and the parents of registered Scouts.

The BSA is also sending the survey to approximately 325,000 Scouting alumni, former members who aren’t necessarily currently active but have previously joined the National Eagle Scout Association or the Scouting Alumni Association.

First, though, the survey will collect feedback from our key stakeholders, asking parents and volunteers to carefully consider the current membership policy and potential affects on the program should the BSA change its policy or keep it the same.

If you are a current member and you have not received a survey, you may visit this link to register your member ID number and receive a link for the survey after your information has been verified. Parents of Scouts can also use this link to get a survey. You should use your child’s ID and indicate you are a parent and input your own demographic information.  As is common in any family discussion, the survey touches on some personal issues. But it’s a conversation we must have now to ensure the continued success of our organization for the future.
The leadership of the BSA is firmly committed to making sure every voice gets heard and is dedicated to the integrity of this process. So, if you receive the survey, speak up—for yourself and for the Boy Scouts of America.

Click Here to Answer the Survey

Sokratis Galitsis on March 11, 2013

EOCS friends – Sat April 13th, you and your families and Scout volunteers are invited to a Vespers Service and reception. There will be a reunion of Boy Scout Troop 63 chartered to Ss. Constantine and Helen GO Cathedral, and Fr Calivas will preside (the Former Dean of Holy Cross Seminary).

A rare treat indeed. Reception to follow; no fee. See attached flyer and feel free to share.  Troop 63 Reunion

Yours in Scouting,
Andrew Yiannakos, EOCS Chair Emeritus

Kyriakos Bournis on February 6, 2013

The Boy Scouts of America has decided to delay its vote on a proposal to allow local troops to decide whether to allow openly gay members and leaders. The organization said it needs more time to get input from its members. The vote will now be held in May.

“After careful consideration and extensive dialogue within the Scouting family, along with comments from those outside the organization, the volunteer officers of the Boy Scouts of America’s National Executive Board concluded that due to the complexity of this issue, the organization needs time for a more deliberate review of its membership policy,” the Scouts said in a statement.

Until a vote is taken, it appears the organization will continue its ban on gay Scouts and Scout leaders.

Kyriakos Bournis on December 11, 2012

It’s the season for giving. And with that said the EOCS needs your support & generosity to continue its mission.

eocs dues notice 2013

Kyriakos Bournis on November 28, 2012

Beloved Priest, Father Angelo Gavalas, Falls Asleep in the Lord

Constantine S. Sirigos

NEW YORK – A man who brought joy into almost every room he entered, Father Angelo Gavalas has left the building. The beloved pastor and youth leader, whose resonant tenor voice thrilled with its singing and inspired with its preaching, passed away early Saturday evening, November 24. Countless people whose lives were touched by this charismatic yet down-to-earth priest were saddened by the loss as word spread by phone and internet across the country. They joined his daughters Catherine and Elaine in mourning and remembering a man whose love, dedication, and struggles came to define both the rewards and the sacrifices entailed by service as a Greek Orthodox priest America. Few who knew him as the man who brought light and solace wherever he visited were aware of the losses and disappointments he endured. Two sons, George and Harry, and Presbytera Ismene departed before him.

 

ANGELO H. GAVALAS

Obituary

GAVALAS–Rev. Angelo H., on November 24, 2012. Associate Pastor of the

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral under the direction of Father Robert Stephanopoulos.

Former Head Pastor at Three Hierarchs Greek Orthodox Church in Brooklyn and Former

Pastor of the Greek Orthodox Community of St. George and St. Demetrios on East 103rd

Street in New York. Beloved husband of the late Presbytera Ismene. Loving father of

Catherine and Elaine and the late George and Harry. Dear brother of Helen. Reposing at the

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 319 East 74th St., New York, on Wednesday from

3-9pm. Funeral Service Thursday, 10am at the Cathedral. Entombment to follow at St.

Michael’s Cemetery, East Elmhurst, NY.

 

Published in The New York Times on November 27, 2012

 

This is the official notice that New Yorkers read in the Standard Newspaper of the world, but those of us who go back to Fr. Angelo’s days at Three Hierarchs’ Church in Brooklyn – be they brother seminary classmates, clergy, faithful parishioners, altar boys, Jr. G.O.Y.A. members, or Scouts of his church’s Boy or Girl Scout troops – have been thinking back to the impressions Fr. Angelo left on us. Indeed, the internet and telephones – land lines, cell, and instant messaging – have been passing words of the love, dedication, and struggles Fr. Angelo passed through in his lifetime. Intensely proud of his Greek heritage, he was a pioneer in the New York area in defining that heritage to a new, young generation born in the U.S.

His Brooklyn church was filled with the activities of youth so many years ago. He was always present at the many youth activities conducted by the Greek Orthodox churches of Brooklyn and Queens, and was instrumental in the organization of the now annual Scout retreat begun in 1964. After leaving Three Hierarchs’ Church, he supported the Archdiocese’ new National Youth Department, always keeping Scouting in mind. He was of the generation that bridged the immigrant church to the Greek Orthodox Church in America that we know today.

He was honored for his support of Scouting by the Greater New York Council, Boy Scouts of America, with their “Silver Beaver” award; and by the Girl Scouts, U.S.A., with their “Impact Award”. These awards are significant in that they recognize actual work and inspiration to youth. The outpouring of sorrow at the passing of Fr. Angelo is just a small measure of the inspiration he was to many of us.

May his memory be eternal!

 

Ss Constantine & Helen, Annapolis
Hosts Orthodox Scouting Religious Retreat

 

Members of the American Heritage Girls, Boy Scouts of America, Campfire Girls, and Girl Scouts of America, were invited to the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting (EOCS) Mid-Atlantic Region Religious Retreat on Saturday, September 29, 2012 hosted by Ss Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Annapolis, Maryland.

 

This was the first-ever event for the EOCS in the Mid-Atlantic region were over 40 Scouts, their leaders, and parents from Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC, were in attendance for a day full of activities.

 

The day began with Divine Liturgy, with Fr. Peter Thornberg of St Sophia (Jeffersonville, PA) officiating with Scout Altar-Boys and Chanters led by Scout Leader Manoli Angostropolos.

 

At the end of the Liturgy, Fr. Dimitrios Antokas of St George (Bethesda, MD) introduced Scout Ioannis Flanders, a scout in his parish who has earned the EOCS’ Alpha-Omega Scouting Award.  Fr. Joel McEachen (Fairfield CT) revised the Alpha-Omega requirements in 1975, and he conducted the Prayer Service for the presentation of the award to Scout Flanders.  Bruce Flanders, his father was present to pin the award on his son.

 

George Tomczewski, the New Jersey Metropolis Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, announced the appointment of Demetrios Haralambatos as the Metropolis Scouting Commissioner of the newly created Commission on Scouting for the Metropolis.

 

The theme for the Retreat was “God and Nature”, and the Scouts were then divided into work groups by age.  The events included workshops, Confessions, lunch, dinner, Vespers, as well as a closing Campfire with songs and skits.  During the evening campfire, coordinated by Scout Leader Thomas Johnston, scouts assisted in the formal burning of Religious relics (palms and ‘Epitaphio’ flowers), as well as several ‘retired’ America flags.

 

All attending received the Annapolis 2012 EOCS commemorative Scout patch.

 

Fr Kosmas Karavellas of Ss Constantine & Helen (Annapolis, MD) who hosted the event, praised Mrs Elizabeth Johnston and Mr. Demetrios Haralambatos for co-chairing the event, and said, “What an experience for all these Scouts!  This shall become an annual event, and we are proud to host this event.”

Kyriakos Bournis on October 12, 2012

Chef Appointed as New Jersey Metropolis Scouting Commissioner

 

His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey announced the appointment of Mr. Demetrios Haralambatos as the Metropolis of New Jersey Scouting Commissioner.  The announcement was made by George Tomczewski, the Metropolis Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, during the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting Mid-Atlantic Region’s Religious Retreat, held at Ss Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Annapolis, Maryland, on September 29th.

 

His Eminence stated that Mr. Haralambatos, was the ideal individual to work with the Metropolis’ Department of Youth Ministries in expanding our Churches involvement with Scouting (American Heritage Girls, Boy Scouts of America, Campfire Girls, and Girl Scouts of America), having been a Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Scout Master, Neighborhood Commissioner, and Scout Leader Trainer, as well as a founding member and past-president of the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting (EOCS), he brings working knowledge and experience to this position.

 

Mr. Haralambatos, resides in Davidsonville, Maryland, is an active Steward of Ss Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Annapolis and is employed as the Corporate Executive Chef of Kontos Foods Inc. in Paterson, New Jersey.  “During my travels, to and from our Corporate Headquarters to perform duties for my employer, I will be able to visit Parishes throughout the Metropolis to promote Scouting, as well as the programs and Religious awards of the EOCS.”
BACKGROUND

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey oversees Greek Orthodox Parishes in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

 

The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting (EOCS) is an agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North & Central America (formerly SCOBA), for over fifty years.

The Agency governs the Orthodox Scouting Religious Awards to Scouts and their Leaders.  The Awards are:
the St. George, Chi Rho, Alpha Omega, and Prophet Elias

The EOCS annually hosts Religious Retreats and Competitive Camporees for Scouts.

 

Demetrios Haralambatos is the Corporate Executive Chef for Kontos Foods Inc, in Paterson, New Jersey.  He is a member of the ACF’s Nations Capital Chefs Association; past-president of the ACF’s Professional Chefs Guild of Central New Jersey; former National Ethics Chairman (three terms) of the American Culinary Federation; and a founding member of the Research Chefs Association.

Sokratis Galitsis on September 10, 2012

To EOCS NE Region Members,

Attached, is the EOCS 2012-2013 calendar.

Our first meeting for the season will be Wednesday, September 26th, 2012

At Saint John the Theologian Cathedral

353 East Clinton Avenue, Tenafly, New Jersey

 

We will be discussing final information for the Annual EOCS Boy and Girl Scout Retreat

on October 6 & 7, 2012 At Saint Basil Academy in Garrison, New York.

2012-2013 calendar