As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the Orthodox Faith among its youth, the Church School Association of Holy Trinity Church (East Meadow NY) organized a fellowship and service get-together on Wednesday, 1 February 2012.  Youth and teens of the parish gathered to roll beeswax candles and mount icon prints, followed by dinner and a Vigil service for the feast-day of the Meeting of Our Lord. As a service project, the youth prepared mounted icon prints of the Resurrection which will be placed in Paschal baskets for homebound parishioners. The baskets will be assembled by the youth on Lazarus Saturday and delivered to parishioners who are unable to make their own traditional foods for Pascha.

“The feast of Christ’s entry into the Temple is a great opportunity for the kids to learn about one of the great feasts of the church, and to connect it to their personal lives,” said Andrea Diamantis, president of the parish’s Church School Association. “They got to make candles and then brought them into church to be blessed during the service.”

Parents and youth alike participated in what has become one of many annual activities for parishioners of all ages. While the frequent get-togethers are intended for fellowship, some also have opportunities to relate the events to the liturgical feasts of the church. This get-together also included a service component.

“These activities provided us with time on Wednesday to teach the youth about Christ’s entry in the Temple” said parish rector, Father Martin Kraus.  “It is important for the children to recognize the important role of Jesus Christ in their lives, as the light of the world and Savior through His death and Resurrection.”

Photos of this event and other parish activities:
http://htocem.org/NewsInfo/photo-video.html