February 6, 2011 designated Orthodox Scout Sunday

Orthodox Scouting in action: Alex Dorf and Nick Geannopoulos of St. Joseph Church, Wheaton, IL, were recently awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. Both boys are altar servers and members of the parish basketball team.

SYOSSET, NY [OCA]—The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting [EOCS] has designated February 6, 2011 as Scout Sunday.

The observance of Scout Sunday began years ago in an effort to build awareness among Orthodox Christian faithful of the benefits of scouting and the various programs and awards offered by the EOCS.

EOCS was established as a facet of youth ministry in the 1960s as the first agency endorsed by the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas.

“The EOCS executive board encourages all Eastern Orthodox Churches to recognize and celebrate this event, even if their parish does not sponsor a scout unit,” reads a release from EOCS.

Among recommendations for celebrating Scout Sunday, EOCS suggests the following.

• Whether your parish sponsors a scout unit or its scouts participate elsewhere, invite your scouts to attend the Liturgy in full uniform.
• Invite the uniformed scouts to assume various duties that Sunday. They can oversee the candle desk, usher, take the collection, serve and clean up during and after coffee hour, read the Hours or Epistle, hold the Communion cloths, or fulfill any other duties at the direction of the pastor.
• If there are any scouts who recently have completed projects leading to scouting awards, make appropriate presentations after the Liturgy. Scouts might also prepare a display on scouting that would be of interest to other boys and girls.

For further information on EOCS in general and/or the observance of Scout Sunday in particular, contact George Boulukos at 516-868-4050; .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).