The '''Antiochian Village''' is a center for Orthodox activities in Bolivar, Pennsylvania that was founded in 1978. It is under the jurisdiction of the [[Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America]] and consists of a conference center and a camp. It was the site of the [[Ligonier Meeting]] in 1994.
==Conference and retreat center==
The conference center has one hundred guest rooms, meeting rooms, a banquet hall, dining facilities, and a theological research library. The Saints Peter and Paul chapel is also located within the center. In 2004, the Antiochian Village Heritage Museum was opened, featuring historical artifacts of Orthodox significance, such as [[icons]] and [[vestments]].
"The Village" hosts Orthodox as well as external events and retreats. The [[Orthodox Christian Fellowship]] East Coast College Conference takes place at the conference center each December. There is an annual Sts. [[Thekla the Protomartyr|Thekla]] and [[Raphael of Brooklyn|Raphael]] Pilgrimage every fall. St. Thekla is the patron saint of an outdoor chapel on the camp grounds, and St. Raphael is buried just next to the outdoor chapel. The Antiochian Archdiocese has many of its national delegate's meetings and its biennial Clergy Symposium at the conference center, due to the central location and facilities that are conducive to host such meetings.
==Camping program==
The Antiochian Village Camp program holds both a summer and winter camp each year. The summer camp consists of four 2-week sessions from June to August each year. Approximately one thousand campers between the ages of 9 and 17, as well as sixty staff, attend the camp every summer. Some main parts of the summer camp program are daily services in the St. Ignatius chapel, Christian education classes, a challenge course, an overnight camping program, and afternoon sports and activities. There are two 4-day winter camp sessions for older campers (12 to 17 years old) over long weekend breaks from school in the winter. Winter camp includes a day trip to go snow tubing and various outdoor winter activities. The camp also has a family camp for families to attend together, and in 2005 started the Vill''edge'' Adventures program for 16 to 18 year old campers. In the summer of 2006, there will be "Sacred Arts Camps" for [[Byzantine Chant|Byzantine Chanting]] and [[Iconography]].
In addition to [[Thekla the Protomartyr|St. Thekla]] and [[Raphael of Brooklyn|St. Raphael]], the camp's patron [[saints]] are the child saint [[Artemius of Verkola|Artemius]], [[Herman of Alaska|St. Herman of Alaska]] and [[Ignatius of Antioch|St. Ignatius of Antioch]]. The [[reliquary]] at the St. Ignatius Chapel includes [[relics]] of St. Herman, [[Moses the Ethiopian|St. Moses the Ethiopian]], and others.
The camp is currently conducting a capital campaign called "Village 2010" to raise money for many neccesary upgrades to facilities. The St. Ignatius Chapel will be expanded, five new cabins will be built, a new dining hall will be created, as well as numerous other projects.
==History==
The Antiochian Village was the vision of His Eminence for our youth began in [[1973]], as Metropolitan [[PHILIPPhilip (Saliba) of New York|Metropolitan Philip(Saliba)]] announced his vision and ultimate desire to serve and build the spiritual lives of the our youth by creating a camping program for [[Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese. The 280-acre grounds were purchased from Camp Fairfield, a Presbyterian camp, in 1978, and the first camping season was the summer of 1979. The Conference and Retreat Center was built in 1985 and doubled in size in 1990North America]].
Camp Directors:The Archimandrite George M. Corry, St. Michaels, Greensburg, PA, was appointed to the task along with his parishioner, Archdiocese Trustee, & long time friend, Mr. George S. Koury, of Irwin, PA. Together they began the search in Western Pennsylvania.
1979-1988 FrFive years had past until a nice, useful facility was available for purchase in the Laurel Mountains of Western Pennsylvania. Camp Fairfield, a 280 acre campground, had cabin accommodations for 160 campers and counselors, and needed only cosmetic enhancements for its initial use. The existing structures included 20 cabins, administrative offices, a dining hall with kitchen, nursing lodge and infirmary. The maintenance building, caretaker’s residence, and staff house were judged to be “appropriate camp style.” Key to the recreational area was a nice size swimming pool, with attached bath house, a softball field, and volleyball, basketball, and a tennis court. The land and its structures were perfect for the time and needs of the Archdiocese; while providing plenty of additional land for expansion. John Namie
1989 FrOn March 31, 1978, the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America signed the final sales agreements to take ownership of what is now The Antiochian Village. The Metropolitan Philip immediately established two primary councils. The first was the Administrative Council for daily operations, co-chaired by father George M. Corry and mr. Matthew GeorgeS. Koury. The second council was the Programming Council, chaired and organized by father John Namie, pastor of St. George Orthodox Church, Houston, TX. Father John was assisted by the then Youth Director of the Archdiocese, Mr. [[Basil (Essey) of Wichita|Bill Essey]].
1990-1991 FrDuring the 33rd Archdiocese Convention in Houston, TX, Metropolitan Philip announced the purchase of the Antiochian Village as "a new spiritual dimension to our lives and will inaugurate a new era of religious maturity in our Archdiocese". The first Administrative Council was filled with the additional talent and energy of Theodore Mackoul, the V. Rev. John Badeen, Thomas Hier, John Roman, Elsie Kaleel, Albert Joseph, Fred Simon, William Salem, Richard Tony, Michael Anthony, Michael Shamey, and Dennis Slyman. The original Programming Council was similarly enhanced with the addition of: Dr. John Boojamra, Edward Joseph, Brenda Joseph, John Litsios, the Very Rev. James Meena, Pearl Nahass, father Anthony Scott, father Joseph Shahda, Vladimir Swydan, and Donna Yazge. Paul Finley
1992 FrMay 28, 1979, the Order of St. Ignatius granted $10,000.00 to the Administrative Council to produce a professional land use study, plus $60,000.00 for equipment purchase, chapel and building repairs. The original A-frame Presbyterian chapel was granted a $30,000.00 gift from The Order to be converted into St. Ignatius Church as a true Orthodox House of Worship. George Alberts
1993-1996 FrThat same year, at the 34th Archdiocese Convention in Hollywood, FL, His Eminence began looking ahead at the possibilities beyond camping and introduced the idea of an all year conference facility to be used by and for clergy retreats and conferences, programs for youth ministry, liturgical practice and sacred music, Christian education, theological research, marriage workshops, SOYO, Teen SOYO, Antiochian Women, The Order of St. Ignatius, and the Archdiocese Board of Trustees. Joseph Purpura
1997-2006 FrThe first camping year was termed “disappointing results”. Word spread as campers and staff traveled back to their home parishes and spoke of their experience at The Village. Under the direction of father John Namie, the camping program made great strides, not just in the number of campers, but in the quality of the camping program. Many other Orthodox dioceses began to use The Village for their retreats, and The Village summer camping program quickly fulfilled the dreams and prayers of those directly involved, especially the hundreds of youth partaking in the awesome Village experience. Michael Nasser
2007-Present FrThe weekend of September 29, 1979, the Antiochian Village was dedicated in front of 1,200 faithful, and the following was declared by His Eminence: “The Antiochian Village is not here to serve only the people of this great Archdiocese, but is offered as a gift to all Orthodox Christians in this country, and because “I do not dream impossible dreams, I merely interpret the dreams and aspirations of my flock. Anthony YazgeThe Antiochian Village was the dream of my people, and I have only striven to translate these dreams into realities. Each achievement presents us with another beginning. There is no summit, only height in the doing the work of Jesus Christ.”
FrThe outreach continued to grow. John Namie served as September, 1979 was the camp's founder dedication of The St. Thekla Chapel and first camp director1st Annual Pilgrimage. Under his tutelage Hundreds came from all over the United States to begin this journey and leadership offer their petitions. The St. Thekla Pilgrimage continues today, as busloads of the camp grew faithful travel from a meager 2 camper session into an ACA accredited camping program that served hundreds of Orthodox Youth each summer bringing our country's children closer all over to participate and refresh their faithspiritual lives.
After an unsteady 8 years of turnover of the camp director position, Fr. Michael Nasser brought the turbulent camping program back on trackIn 1982, as The Antiochian Village received accreditation by the camp again started to realize Metropolitan PHILIP's original visionAmerican Camping Association.
Under Fr. Michael's guidance and genius the camp grew from a 3 session summer program into the perennial powerhouse of all Orthodox camping The Antiochian Village Camp continues to grow and youth development institutions in all the universeoffer memories that no other event or time can offer. The camp now contains 4, 2 week summer sessions, as well as 2 winter camp sessions, 2 family camp camping sessions, iconography camp, chanting camp, Villedge Adventuresare usually filled very quickly, and the Villedge Roadtrip. Through his work the camp now reaches out campers call their friends from previous years to over 1000 Orthodox Youth throughout North America. Fr. Michael Nasser left his final mark on make sure that they will see them again during the Antiochian Village by jump starting same session, in the same cabin, and relive The Village 2010 campaign, which ensures Magic that only a brighter future for continuing success in ministering to America's Orthodox youth“Villager” will understand.
The Conference and Retreat Center was built in 1985 and doubled in size in 1990. Fr. Anthony Yazge completed his John Namie was the first full year as camp director continuing Frfrom 1979 to 1988. Michael's work towards Under his directorship, the 2010 camping program. He also hired the best staff of all time in Village history in the summer of 2007. Greg Hakim led grew from a two-camper session to an all-star set of male counselors as they reached out and transformed the troubled lives and ensured the salvation of ACA accredited camping program that served hundreds of of Orthodox youth within the borders of Lebanon, Brazil, California, and Canada. This incredible male staff also created their own personal prayer to help bind and unite them together in their undivided purpose of promoting the Christian lifestyleYouth each summer.
Along with Greg Hakim's excellent guidance of the male counselors, After a few of his counselors stepped up their game. Namely his cousin and 3 time returning all-star counselor Dan Hakim, and younger brother of Charles Abdelahad, Nick Abdelahad. Both served as challenge course facilitators and thrived in every aspect succession of camp life. Nickdirectors, better known as session 2's session priest Fr. Michael Abdelahad's sonJoseph Purpura was the director from 1993-1996, survived during which time the summer without any major injuries, as is his normLigonier meeting was held.
As if Greg's influence could go no farther, he revolutionized the art of late night food runs Fr. Michael Nasser was made director in the unit1997. Instead of sticking He grew the camp from a three-session summer program into the typical pizza and Sheetzcurrent format of four fortnight-long summer sessions, as well as two winter camp sessions, two family camp sessions, an iconography camp, he brought us a new chanting camp, Village Adventures, and exciting way to enjoy each other's company in the unitVillage Roadtrip. This consisted of piles and piles of Dino's meat filled wingsThrough his work the camp now reaches out to over 1000 Orthodox youth throughout North America. Although the excessive wing's sauce smothered the top One of the picnic table, unit 4 campers were still unable his final moves was to detect start the previous evening's eventsVillage 2010 campaign.
To experience the male staff's love and unity, you need not look farther than their revolutionary alarm clock systemThe current director is Fr. Anthony Yazge. With reliance on each other and their undeniable faith He took up this position in God above2007, the male staff worked to ensure punctuality having previously participated in attendance of Daily Orthros and Divine Liturgy, the climax of the Orthodox Christian life. The importance of this is invaluable because camping program as we all know early is on time, and on time is latesession priest.
==Conference and retreat center==
The conference center has one hundred guest rooms, meeting rooms, a banquet hall, dining facilities, and a theological research library. The Saints Peter and Paul chapel is also located within the center. In 2004, the Antiochian Village Heritage Museum was opened, featuring historical artifacts of Orthodox significance, such as [[icons]] and [[vestments]].
Edited by: Dan Hakim "The Village" hosts Orthodox as well as external events and Nick Abdelahadretreats. The [[Orthodox Christian Fellowship]] East Coast College Conference takes place at the conference center each December. There is an annual Sts. [[Thekla the Protomartyr|Thekla]] and [[Raphael of Brooklyn|Raphael]] Pilgrimage every fall. St. Thekla is the patron saint of an outdoor chapel on the camp grounds, and St. Raphael is buried just next to the outdoor chapel. The Antiochian Archdiocese has many of its national delegate's meetings and its biennial Clergy Symposium at the conference center, due to the central location and facilities that are conducive to host such meetings.
==Top Village QuotesCamping program=="Early is on timeThe Antiochian Village Camp program holds both a summer and winter camp each year. The summer camp consists of four 2-week sessions from June to August each year. Approximately one thousand campers between the ages of 9 and 17, as well as sixty staff, attend the camp every summer. Some main parts of the summer camp program are daily services in the St. Ignatius chapel, Christian education classes, a challenge course, on time is latean overnight camping program, and late is really really lateafternoon sports and activities." "I'm There are two 4-day winter camp sessions for older campers (12 to 17 years old) over long weekend breaks from school in the Bishopwinter. Winter camp includes a day trip to go snow tubing and various outdoor winter activities. The camp also has a family camp for families to attend together, not and in 2005 started the answering machineVill''edge'' Adventures program for 16 to 18 year old campers. In the summer of 2006, there will be "Sacred Arts Camps" for [[Byzantine Chant|Byzantine Chanting]] and [[Iconography]].
"Do you know what an idiot is? In addition to St. [[Thekla the Protomartyr|Thekla]] and St. [[Raphael of Brooklyn|Raphael]], the camp's patron [[saints]] are the child saint [[Artemius of Verkola|Artemius]], St. [[Herman of Alaska]] and St. [[Ignatius of Antioch]]. An idiot is a stupid personThe [[reliquary]] at the St. Ignatius Chapel includes the [[relics]] of St. Herman and St. [[Moses the Ethiopian]]."
The camp is currently conducting a capital campaign called "Where was Andrew? Maybe he was fishingVillage 2010" to raise money for many necessary upgrades to facilities. Too bad for himThe St. Ignatius Chapel will be expanded, five new cabins will be built, a new dining hall will be created, as well as numerous other projects."
"If you invite your best friend to your wedding, you're marrying the wrong person." "Through Christ we are always together." "We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us...I mean we could." "Ma ma hoo hoo" "Haha floor is bed." "What if the basketball courts are on fire?" "Modest is Hottest." Added by: Dan Hakim, Greg Hakim, Nick Abdelahad, Katherine Newhouse, and Beth Ann Baker ==Best Bombers 2007Directors=="Hey Metropolitan PHILIP, you are really dope, you're way way way better than the Pope* 1979-1988: Fr."John Namie * 1989: Fr. Matthew George "Hey construction workers, you work all day long, you must be pretty strooooong* 1990-1991: Fr."Paul Finley * 1992: Fr. George Alberts "Hey * 1993-1996: Fr. Anthony, you know that we love you, with Joseph Purpura * 1997-2006: Fr. Michael gone I guess you'll have to do."Nasser "Hey Nurse Pat, we come to you for answers, but I broke my arm and you gave me Jolly Ranchers* 2007-present Fr." Added by: Dan Hakim, Greg Hakim, Nick Abdelahad, Katherine Newhouse, and Beth Ann BakerAnthony Yazge
==External links==
*[http://www.antiochianvillage.org/ Antiochian Village]
*[http://www.antiochianvillage.org/camp/camphistoryabout/history.html Antiochian Village History]
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Pilgrimage Sites]]
[[ro:Satul antiohian]]
