Buna Vestire Cathedral’s Metropolitan Religious Olympics began at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 29 with a Vespers Service and Litya followed by a group picture and dinner. After dinner, the participants were to have a bonfire, roast some marshmallows, make s’mores and reminisce with one another and with fellow “Summer Campers.” However, due to the “on-and-off” rainy weather, they found another way to enjoy their time together, some stayed indoors to socialize, and some played a game of soccer on the church’s parking lot instead. Parishioners and visiting guests enjoyed a relaxed and pleasant evening as well by getting to know one another by sharing similar interests and personal stories on our faith.
Students were also given a gift bag welcoming them to Buna Vestire Cathedral that consisted of a few treats that they were able to take back to their hotel rooms/homes along with a tapestry bookmark of the Mother of God. The students were touched by the gift bag and everyone was encouraged to take some leftover food back to their hotel rooms/homes.
Sunday we began the day with Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. and immediately AFTER Father Petru Neaga gave the second blessing from Holy Communion, all the participants proceeded into the hallway to pray and chant, “Christ is Risen.” Students and teachers were given instructions and had the opportunity to ask questions on the rules before entering their designated classrooms for a quick snack. Students were encouraged to, “Do your BEST and CHRIST will take care of the rest!” In addition, Father Petru caught-up with the students before entering their classrooms to bless and give them a few words of encouragement as well.
Exams started at 12:45 p.m. and students seemed relieved and relaxed upon exiting their classroom. When asked, “How did you do?” The common response was, “It went well. I feel good.” They were given a hug for a job well done and asked to join their parents until everyone completed their exam. After lunch, we took another group picture and continued to visit with one another outdoors.
Before our visiting guests departed, they were given a sausage sandwich for the ride home, some were gifted a plant and many of them commented that they not only felt “Welcomed” to our church, but they walked away feeling “Loved” and wish to return to our church again. This is the LOVE of CHRIST at work. Glory be to God for bringing all of us together!
The following visiting churches participated in this year’s Metropolitan Religious Olympics with 20 students present out of 27:
- Holy Trinity (Troy, Michigan)
- Protection of the Mother of God Monastery (Allegan, Michigan)
- Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral (Chicago, Illinois)
May our loving and merciful Lord bless everyone a hundredfold for sacrificing their personal time, hard work and efforts – parishioners and visiting guests.
