Sydney: Annual Sunday School Camp 2024
On Monday 15th July 2024, with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, over eighty Sunday School children and leaders from across Sydney, journeyed down to the Tops Conference Centre for the Annual Sunday School Camp of 2024.
The next three days cannot be described in any way other than as an immense blessing from God. The children took part in a range of activities, including archery, vertical cluster, cart racing, sport and singing. Even with the chilling winds that passed through the campsite, there was nothing that could shake the enthusiasm and joy of the children that permeated into everything they did.
In celebration and honour of the announcement of our nation’s patron saint, the camp was centred on the theme of ‘Saint Paisios: Patron and Protector of Australia”. Within this, the children learnt about different periods of St Paisios’ life along with specific virtues that he embodied. Through these virtues and the lessons given by the guest speakers – Father Dimitri Kokkinos and Dr. John Psarommatis- it was made clear that we can all strive to be like St Paisios.
However, the biggest blessing of all was the Divine Liturgy, where Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne Eusebios, Abbot of Pantanassa Monastery, not only celebrated the Liturgy with the children but brought belongings of St Paisios for them to venerate. Afterwards, Father Eusebios spoke to the children about the life of St Paisios and his journey to sainthood, emphasising that ‘no matter where we are… we can always find our way to God and live a full life of faith, love and blessings.’ Father Eusebios also conveyed to the children the blessings and love of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
Upon arriving back to Sydney at the Orthodox Mission Centre, the children presented to their parents and families, a series of plays, a camp video and a song encapsulating what they learned and gained through the camp.
