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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.
==History==
The vision for our youth began in [[1973]], as Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) announced his vision and ultimate desire to serve and build the spiritual lives of our youth by creating a camping program for Antiochian Archdiocese.
The Antiochian Village was the vision of His Eminence Metropolitan [[Philip (Saliba) of New York|Philip]] of the Antiochian 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 1990. Fr. John Namie was the first camp director from 1979 to 1988. Under his directorship, the camping program grew from a two-camper session to an ACA accredited camping program that served hundreds of Orthodox Youth each summer.
After a succession of directors, Fr. Joseph Purpura was the director from 1993-1996, during which time the Ligonier meeting was held.
Fr. Michael Nasser was made director in 1997. He grew the camp from a three-session summer program into the current format of four fortnight-long summer sessions, as well as two winter camp sessions, two family camp sessions, an iconography camp, a chanting camp, Village Adventures, and the Village Roadtrip. Through his work the camp now reaches out to over 1000 Orthodox youth throughout North America. One of his final moves was to start the Village 2010 campaign.
The current director is Fr. Anthony Yazge. He took up this position in 2007, having previously participated in the camping program as session 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]].
The camp is currently conducting a capital campaign called "Village 2010" to raise money for many necessary 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.
==Directors==
*1979-1988: Fr. John Namie *1989: Fr. Matthew George *1990-1991: Fr. Paul Finley *1992: Fr. George Alberts *1993-1996: Fr. Joseph Purpura *1997-2006: Fr. Michael Nasser *2007-present Fr. Anthony Yazge
==External links==
