The summer of 2020 marks the 50th Anniversary of the extraordinary travel abroad Summer Program of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Ionian Village.
The goal of Ionian Village is to bring the young people of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America into a close understanding and love for both the Orthodox faith and Hellenic heritage. A strong Spiritual Life is at the center of everything at Ionian Village. By starting and ending every day with services at our St. Iakovos Chapel, as well as our innovative and inclusive Orthodox Life program, Ionian Village focuses on bringing its campers closer to Jesus Christ. Ionian Village allows campers to experience life in a fully Orthodox environment as they travel to historic churches and religious sites across Greece.
Pilgrimages include opportunities to venerate the uncorrupt holy bodies of St. Dionysius in Zakynthos and St. Gerasimos in Kefalonia. Visits to Kalavryta, Mega Spilæon, St. Andrew’s Church in Patras, St. Nektarios in Aegina and a morning at the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum, help further their experiences of Hellenism and Orthodoxy.
When not traveling, campers take part in activities on the campgrounds. Daily life at Ionian Village includes many traditional summer camp activities that emphasize fun, fellowship, and learning. Time is also spent at either the world class pool or our private beach every day while at camp.
The Archdiocese and the Ionian Village Administration are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of attendees. They want to ensure everyone planning to attend that their health, safety, and security is our top priority.
Ionian Village is not just another summer camp. The campers and Staff come not only to understand their Orthodox Faith and Hellenic Culture in a more realistic and tangible way, but also to meet and interact with other young people just like them from all over the country. Through this interaction, their eyes are opened as to what the reality of being an Orthodox Christian in this world truly should be: to be people who live Christ-centered lives, to be people of love.
Source: GOARCH