The St. Basil of Ostrog parish and its church-school congregation had the honor of hosting this year’s Children’s Winter Camp from December 25 to 28, 2024 in Greensboro, North Carolina! The idea of creating something for our children and youth to bring them together to learn about faith and get to know each other has been in place for twenty years, and is readily turning into a true family camp. Our Miami Deanery organizes the Winter Camp, with one of the parishes taking turns hosting each year.

This year, with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America, our Greensboro parish joyfully welcomed all the camp participants from all ten parishes in the Deanery The joy was even greater this year as, for the first time, participants from the missionary parish in Naples, Florida, joined us. In total, we had over 300 participants!

The camp participants gathered on Wednesday, December 25th, in the parish hall. That evening, we officially opened Winter Camp 2024.

Thursday, December 26th, began with morning prayers, and after breakfast, we went to the Holy Trinity Monastery in Troy, North Carolina, where Abbess Agni warmly welcomed us with her sisterhood. This Greek monastery is one of many established through the efforts and love of Elder Joseph of Arizona. In the church, the abbess spoke about the monastery’s founding and the arrival of the sisters, then answering questions from those present. We toured the monastery workshop, dining hall, and property, and the sisters prepared a meal for us. After visiting the monastery, we went to the Transportation Museum and enjoyed a ride on the "Polar Express" train. Evening services were attended by our Bishop Irinej, who honored us with his presence. After dinner, the campers went ice skating in Greensboro.

Friday, December 27th, also began with morning prayers and breakfast. After breakfast, lectures were held for the children by age groups. His Grace Bishop Irinej addressed the older group, while Fathers Miladin Blagojević (Atlanta) and Srebrenko Vidaković (Charlotte) gave lectures to the younger group.

After the lectures, the participants went to Mars Hill for snow activities. Following their time in the mountains, all campers were greeted with a warm dinner in our hall.

On Saturday, December 28th, the last day of the camp, the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated. His Grace Bishop Irinej presided, comncelebrated by Protopresbyters-Stavrophores Milan Krstić, Dean of the Miami Deanery, and Ljubiša Brnjoš (Orlando); Protopresbyters Miladin Blagojević (Atlanta), Stanislav Kravljaca (Jacksonville), Dragoslav Košić (Cleveland), Saša Đurđević (North Port) and Milan Katanić; Presbyters-Economoi Miloš Ždralić (Clearwater) and Vladislav Golić (Naples), Presbyter Srebrenko Vidaković (Charlotte), and the host parish priest, Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Boris Čolović. Retired priest Onufrije (ROCOR) also attended. Bishop Irinej addressed the participants, and in particular the children and youth, with an archpastoral homily. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Festal bread and wheat were blessed. The Jacksonville parish, led by Fr. Stanislav, accepted the responsibility for next year’s camp, receiving a fourth of the Slava bread from the hands of Bishop Irinej.

The Agape Feast in the hall gathered our campers, who, after conversation, dancing, and socializing, gradually began returning to their parishes and homes.

It is important to note that the joy on the faces of the children and youth was evident throughout the camp, and the parents enjoyed their time together every day, exchanging experiences and getting to know one another.

We especially want to thank the hardworking parishioners, Circle of Serbian Sisters, the Church Board, and all volunteers of the St. Basil of Ostrog Church community whose efforts made this camp such a successful event. Every day, we were treated to homemade meals, pies, cakes, various soups... and nothing was missing! May the Lord bless them for their great efforts!

NEXT YEAR IN JACKSONVILLE!!!