St. Prophet Elijah celebrated during the Summer Camp
St. Theodora of Sihla
On the day of the celebration of St. Prophet Elijah, HG Bishop Ioan Casian together with a group of priests, which included Archpriest Viorel Tencaliuc, Fr. Grigorie Țăpuc and Hieromonk Polycarp Athenagoras, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross and St. Ephrem the New Monastery in Mono, Ontario, in the presence of the youth participant at the St. Teodora of Sihla Summer Camp, a camp coordinated by the Department of Education of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada between July 17-23, at The Valley of The Mother of God Coptic Center near our monastery.
In the words addressed these days to youth on the occasion of the celebration, the hierarch of Canada pointed out several aspects of the life and work of St. Prophet Elijah, as well as his connection with the New Testament, visible in the episode of the Transfiguration of the Savior.
"St. Prophet Elijah is a representative figure of the Christian tradition. The main work with which God endows him is the restoration of the true worship of the true God. He is one of the most beloved, fearless and zealous men of God, who had the conviction that he was serving the living God. Living in the presence of God gave him this steadfastness and firmness of faith, although he was also tried by human fear.
The connection between the two Testaments is clearly seen in the Transfiguration episode, when the two great prophets: Moses and Elijah appear on either side of the Savior: Moses received the first covenant, Elijah renewed it among the people in which he was born and where he was sent by God to shepherd, and the Savior perfected it. The transfiguration of the Savior truly reveals His divine identity, which until this moment by economy remained hidden, to let His contemporaries to discover Him, to show that He is a true human person (he ate, drank, was tired, prayed in solitude or was sleeping, etc.). Beyond the human nature whose signs I have mentioned, in His person there was also the divine nature of the Son of God whose signs the Evangelists mention: the sinless birth, the resurrections, the miracles performed, His Resurrection from the dead on the third day etc.). In His person, the Savior accomplishes the restoration of our human nature through the cleansing of sin through the work of the Holy Spirit. He rise it in the bosom of divinity, restoring its royal dignity and reopening the gates of the Kingdom of God for all humanity."
After the Divine Liturgy, in the afternoon, the youth in the camp joined, via zoom, their colleagues and friends from Vancouver, from St. Nicholas and St. Elijah Parish, pastored by Rev. Fr. Corneliu – Iulian Dragomir. It was an occasion of joy and communion despite the physical distances that separate.
The day continued with sports activities, scientific experiments and free discussions on spiritual topics under the guidance of priests.
The program will continue until Saturday and will include hiking, sports and science activities, icon painting and egg painting, culinary activities, fire camp, some surprise activities and, of course, prayer, smiles and cheerfulness.
