Like every year, this summer there were three boys’ camps organized by the Orthodox Church of Albania in the beautiful island of Zvërnec in Vlora.
 
    The first camp was held from 21 June until 1 July. 120 children of age 11 to 15 years old took part and they came from different parts of Albania. There were several activities but two important events happened during the period of the first camp: 21 children got baptized and the Metropolitan of Berati, His Grace Ignatios who has already become like a friend to the youth came to visit the campers. He talked to them about the two apostles Peter and Paul and encouraged them to follow the apostles’ example in their own life.
 
    The second camp was organized from 9th to 19th July and 90 children took part in it. They were of age 14 to 17 years old. The organizers of this camp were the professors and the students of the Theological Academy “Resurrection of Christ” at St. Vlash in Durrës. The general thesis of the camp was “Christ, the Light of the World”. The overall goal was to offer to the youth 10 days which would be different from the other days of their life so far: to engage them in prayers, dedication and discipline and to teach them how to live life in a community or a group. Parts of the camp program were also the craftwork and the entertaining activities. The youth was introduced to the art of making icons, komboskina and crosses which they practiced to perform with their own hands. They also played different sports such as football, chess, domino etc during the days of the camp.   
 
    On July 26 until August 4, young men of age 17 up to 30 years old gathered together in the third camp organized by Mr. Thoma Comëni and Archimandrite Asti Bakallbashi with the precious help of the theology students studying at the Theological Academy and those studying in Athens. 45 young men took part in this camp which aim was to help them in their spiritual life. In order to achieve this aim, the camp program was designed so as to include bible study, morning prayers, discussions about spiritual topics based on the book “Divine Messages” by Archbishop Anastasios. It was a blessing for the campers to have among them Fr. Justin who made a discussion about death and the Christian perspective of it. In addition several movies were played to transmit spiritual messages. One of the most significant moments during this camp was the celebration of the 18 anniversary of enthronement of Archbishop Anastasios. In order to recall such an event, the youth watched a documentary about the 18 year period of restoration and construction of the churches around Albania which was made possible by the care and funds provided by Archbishop Anastasios. This camp offered another opportunity to the campers to strengthen the links of communication and friendship among them as well as helped them in their spiritual upbringing.
 
 
Aleks Curri, Niko Kodheli & Thoma Comëni
Translated by Juliana Kodheli
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