MERCER, PA --  Youth from throughout the diocese arrived at Camp Nazareth last evening for the Annual Youth Pilgrimage.   This annual gathering offers the youth of our diocese to come together in prayer and fellowship at the end of their summer vacation to spiritually prepare for the upcoming new school year.  

This year, with the Blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, the theme of the youth gathering is  "Youth On A Mission". During the pilgrimage,  our youth have been contemplating their vocation  in life, and their particular talents they can offer in stewardship to the Church. This year's speaker was the Rev. Deacon Matthew Stagon of St. John the Baptist Church, East Pittsburgh, PA.

Last evening, before praying the Compline Service, they enjoyed a spiritual talk  and campfire. This morning, they sang and prayed the Divine Liturgy together which was celebrated by Very Rev. Fr. Miles Zdinak.

After breakfast they broke into small groups to discuss how they could express  in video format, their understanding of  how Orthodox Christians can serve God and the Church using the talents that they have been given.  The morning was spent in planning and rehearsing the content of several short video "bursts"  that will be posted in the near future on the diocesan youth website.  http://arena.acrod.org

Tommorow morning the youth will join the pilgrims from the surrounding deaneries at the Pilgrimage Liturgy and other festivities of the day.

A complete photo gallery of the Pilgrimage weekend and  the videos produced by our youth will be posted in the near future.