CrossRoad June 2012

Day 1

All CrossRoad participants arrived safely today. After getting settled in the dorms, they attended a Vespers service in the beautiful campus Chapel and enjoyed a delicious meal together. After staff introductions, the participants played icebreaker games and performed skits about the signature themes they learned about through the StrengthsFinder assessment. They are so excited for their first full day of learning and activities tomorrow!

Day 2

Today we began our first full day of CrossRoad with a Divine Liturgy in the Holy Cross Chapel. After brunch our group boarded a bus to Project Adventure for team building activities. We returned to campus in the evening to discuss the afternoon's activities and for a session about the Orthodox Christian understanding of vocation.

Day 3

We had a welcome surprise today as a thunderstorm moved in right as the participants were discussing the magnitude and beauty of God's creation in the Sanctification of Creation session. In the afternoon, they discussed Vocation and Music, and they visited St. Mark’s Coptic Church and nearby Natick Square. This evening we had a session on Technology and Relationships followed by a reflection by CrossRoad Participants on the first stage of CrossRoad, “Wrestling with Vocation.”

Day 4

The mini-courses began today with Fr. Thomas Hopko and Dr. Demetri Katos leading an exploration of scripture and theology. After taking some time to examine the lectures more closely in small groups, the participants took a break to head out to downtown Boston and walk the freedom trail. We all celebrated Vespers together and had dinner at St. Savas Serbian Orthodox Church. Finally, Dr. Schadler ran a wonderful session on Vocation and Monastacism to close out the day.

Day 5

Today, the CrossRoad participants attended their second day of classes. After lunch, they attended a thought provoking session on “Faith and Science.” After a short visit to the Metropolis of Boston Cathedral Center Chapel for Vespers, the participants shared a “Night with the Saints,” where they learned and related to the lives of some of the Saints of the Church, venerated Saints’ relics in the Holy Cross Chapel, and prayed the Small Compline service.

Day 6

Today, the CrossRoad participants attended a third day of classes. Afterward, they went to the historic Quincy Market in Faneuil Hall. There, they enjoyed some free time to shop, eat, and spend time together. The participants visited Holy Ressurection Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Allston where they had dinner and attended Vespers. In the evening, they attended a session by Fr. Luke Veronis on the topic of mission work, and finished the night by attending a Paraklesis service at the Holy Cross Chapel.

Day 7

Today, after Divine Liturgy for Saints Peter and Paul, and after their last day of classes, the CrossRoad participants took some free time to play basketball, watch Остров (The Island), and walk to JP Licks in Jamaica Plaion. They enjoyed a visit to Holy Archangels in Watertown in the afternoon. In the evening, the participants wrapped up Stage 2 and had and introduction to Stage 3, “Vocation & Christ in the Face of the Neighbor,” and they got to bed early in preparation for the Breakfast Search tomorrow.

Day 8

Today, The CrossRoad participants were up early to embark on a “Breakfast Search” (unable to be photographed). In small groups with CrossRoad staff, we invited some of the homeless population to have breakfast and share their personal journey with us. Afterward, all the groups gathered together in Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church to share their experiences. Since we had risen so early in the morning, CrossRoaders were given “Be Still Time.” This is a time to reflect on their experiences thus far, write in their journals, read, or nap. In the evening the participants attended Vespers at St. Mary’s Antiochian Church and had a session on “Prayer and Purity” from our guest speaker, Dr. Albert Rossi.

Day 9

Following Orthros and Divine Liturgy, students joined Dr. Rossi for "Prayer and Purity" Part II. After lunch, CrossRoaders visited two different nursing homes, where they spent time talking and dancing to lively music with the residents (no photos allowed). In the late afternoon, participants attended a Vespers service in the Holy Cross Chapel, followed by a talk on Vocation and Human Rights with Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou.

Day 10

The Last full day of CrossRoad began with Orthros and a session on "Life Giving Relationships." Then, we left for some fun in the sun at a beach on the North Shore of Massachusetts. CrossRoaders and Staff spent the afternoon playing and relaxing before returning for the closing activities.