CHI-RHO PROGRAM SERVICE BOOK

Transcription

1 CHI-RHO PROGRAM SERVICE BOOK RELIGIOUS AWARD PROGRAM FOR CUB SCOUTS GIRL SCOUT JUNIORS OF THE EASTERN ORTHODOX FAITH

2 CHI-RHO RELIGIOUS EMBLEM PROGRAM Written by: Fr. Joel McEachen, 1977 Revised by: The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting Revision Date: Fall 2011

3 Table of Contents I. Introduction A. Mission Statement of the E.O.C.S.... page 1 B. Letter from the E.O.C.S.... page 2 C. The Chi-Rho Program: Information and Instructions... page 3 II. The Chi-Rho Curriculum A. Part I: About Me... page 4 B. Part II: My Home and Community... page 7 C. Part III: My Church... page 9 III. Completing the Chi-Rho Program A. Registration Instructions... page 12 B. Application/Order Form... page 13

4 MISSION STATEMENT EASTERN ORTHODOX COMMTTEE ON SCOUTING FOUNDED IN 1960, UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE STANDING CONFERENCE OF ORTHODOX BISHOPS OF THE AMERICAS Support and conduct the mission of Our Lord and His Church via the Scouting program. Recognize the individual youth member as our most important member. Provide support, guidance, programs and consultation to Eastern Orthodox Churches that sponsor Scouting and are partners in the Scouting program. Provide support, programs and recognition to the Scouts and Scouters of the Eastern Orthodox faith whether in units in Eastern Orthodox Churches, or registered in units sponsored by other institutions, via the: religious youth recognitions, adult recognitions for volunteer Scouters and Clergy, Retreats, Camp-O-Rees, associated events and activities. Create, expand, enhance and project a presence of Eastern Orthodox Scouting in the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA. The E.O.C.S. exists to complement and supplement the Youth's program and the unit's program. The E.O.C.S. does not exist to direct or replace a unit's program. Encourage the use of the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of the USA as part of the youth ministry program of a Church and community. Develop and extend our Scouting network with our ministry partners. The E.O.C.S. is the officially recognized Eastern Orthodox religious committee for the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of the USA Draft of September P age Chi-Rho w w w. E O C S. o r g

5 Fall 1990 Dear Reverend Clergy, Scouts and Scouters, This Chi-Rho Program Service Book and its companions, the St. George and the Alpha Omega Program Service Books, are the cornerstones of the religious programs for young Orthodox Christians who are members of the Scouting programs. The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting (E.O.C.S.) takes particular pride in presenting this revised version of the Alpha-Omega book for your use. The E.O.C.S., founded in 1960 and under the auspices of the Standing Conference of Orthodox Bishops in America, is the officially recognized Orthodox religious committee of the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of the USA. This revision and update was the hard work of volunteer Scouters and spiritual advisors, including: Ms. Helen Misthos (chair), Rev. Robert Archon, Ms. Demetra Brountzas, Mr. Edward Korolenko, Rev. Vladimir Lecko, Rev. Joel McEachen, Rev. George Passias, Mr. Mark Stokoe, and Ms. Marge Vajda. No words can express the gratitude to the original authors of this book: Father McEachen, whose service to Scouting in the Orthodox Church is legendary; Rev. Alexander Karloutsos; Rev. Charles Sarelis; and Mr. Demetrios Haralambatos. The purpose of our medals programs is to give a religious base and framework for our Orthodox youth members. The E.O.C.S. accepts your comments and suggestions. We believe that your local Orthodox Church and Scouting make great partners in our Lord's ministry. In His Service, Rev. Angelo Gavalas Spiritual Advisor to the E.O.C.S. Andrew E.K. Yiannakos Chairman E.O.C.S. 2 P age Chi-Rho w w w. E O C S. o r g

6 The Emblem Chi-Rho Program: Information and Instructions The Chi-Rho emblem is a white Greek cross surmounted by a red Orthodox cross, suspended from a bar pin bearing the inscription CHI-RHO in English and Greek. These two Greek letters are the first letters of the name CHRIST in Greek. From very early times, the monogram CHI-RHO became a symbol for the name of Christ. Who is eligible? Any Orthodox Christian boy or girl who is registered as a Cub Scout or Girl Scout Junior may earn the Chi-Rho emblem. The recipient must be in the fourth or fifth grade and must attend church, school or other formal religious instruction program. The youth must also be a communicant member of an Orthodox Christian Church recognized by S.C.O.B.A. Priests are encouraged to adapt these requirements for use with mentally and/or physically challenged youth members of these Scouting movements. Presentation The Chi-Rho emblem is granted by the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting, so it should be presented in the church by a priest or bishop. Consult current uniform regulations of the Cub Scouts or Girl Scout Cadets for the proper location of the medal on the uniform. Instructions This booklet is for you. As you read it and answer the questions, you will be learning more about yourself, your home and community, and your church. Some of the answers may be written in this booklet; others you will answer by writing in a notebook. Where it asks for a picture, you may use photographs, pasted pictures, or your own drawings. There are suggested ideas, activities, and books at the end of some of the questions. These are noted for your help. Your own ideas and activities are welcome. At the end of each part there is a space for comments by your parent(s) and by your priest. Any new ideas or comments can be noted there. The completed part should be signed by you, one of your parents, and by the priest after having reviewed it with you. When all the parts are completed, the priest will sign the application/order form on the last page and submit it with the required fee. 3 P age Chi-Rho w w w. E O C S. o r g

7 THE CHI-RHO CURRICULUM Part I: About Me A. My Baptismal name is B. I was born on C. My baptismal date is D. My Godparents names are E. I was baptized by Fr. F. Special memories my parents have of that day are: _ G. Pictures of my baptism: H. Orthodox Christians celebrate Name Days." My "Name Day" is, which is the feast day of Saint, whom I was named after. 4 P age Chi-Rho w w w. E O C S. o r g

8 I. This is what I know about my Saint: (Or choose a Saint you like.) Suggested Books: Book of the Saints by Mary P. Hallick, Light and Life Publishing Co. Butler's Lives of the Saints Series, Christian Classics, Inc. Lives of the Saints Series by Constance Tarasar, DRE Lives of the Saints for Young People by Rev. Leu Puhalo, Synasix Press Orthodox Saints Series by George Poulous, Holy Cross Orthodox Press They Walked with God by Lidia Kesich, Metropolitan Council Publishing, Co. Holy Cross Bookstore ( 50 Goddard Ave Brookline, MA kcbks@hchc.edu J. Here is an Icon (or drawing of Icon) of my Saint: 5 P age Chi-Rho w w w. E O C S. o r g

9 COMPLETION PART I My Signature Date Completed Comments by Parent or Guardian: Signature of Parent or Guardian Comments by Priest: Signature of Priest 6 P age Chi-Rho w w w. E O C S. o r g

10 PART II: MY HOME AND COMMUNITY A. There are people in my family. B. Picture of my family: (Write their names under each person.) C. What religious items do you have in your home? D. How and when do you use them? E. Write a prayer to say before meals. F. Write a prayer to say when you get up in the morning. G. List several ways God shows His love for you. H. List several ways you show your love for God. I. List some ways you and your family show your love for each other. J. Do a project with your whole family. (This may be done with Section "L" below.) Write about what you did. K. Pictures of you doing your project. L. Visit someone who is sick, shut-in, poor, elderly, or lonely. Make him or her a gift, or help that person with a task. Other suggested ideas: Help support any one of the many worthy organizations by earning money, such as: Jump Rope for the Heart Association Multiple Sclerosis Read-a-Thon Bowl-athon or Bike-a-thon for Cooley's Anemia Write a couple of paragraphs about what you did. M. Pictures of you doing your activity. 7 P age Chi-Rho w w w. E O C S. o r g

11 COMPLETION PART II My Signature Date Completed Comments by Parent or Guardian: Signature of Parent or Guardian Comments by Priest: Signature of Priest 8 P age Chi-Rho w w w. E O C S. o r g

12 PART III: MY CHURCH The Church is God's house. The Church Family is an extension of our own family. What is the name of the Church you attend? A. When you enter your Church building, what do you do? What are some of the things you see that make your church an Orthodox Church? B. Pictures of the outside and the inside of your church. C. Choose a subject in your church to study, and write about it. (Suggested ideas: How are candles made? What is an icon? How is church bread made? Why do we sing in church?) Being an Orthodox Christian is much more than just going to church on Sunday morning. Everything we do has a Christian meaning. God, who created us and the world, knows each one of us, what we need, and what we are doing. We feel God's creation, the world around us, and the people in it by our senses of touch, taste, smell, sight and sound. D. List ways you participate in God's world through your senses at home and in church. Home Church 1. Touch 2. Taste 3. Smell 4. Sight 5. Sound E. Food is an important part of our Orthodox life. Different times of the year mean different foods in our home. List some foods you eat especially during Advent and Great Lent. F. How do you prepare for a major church holy day, such as Easter, Holiday of the Virgin Mary, or Christmas? 1. Fasting? 2. Going to Church? 3. Preparing the meal? 4. Helping in other ways? 9 P age Chi-Rho w w w. E O C S. o r g

13 G. Name the four Gospels and tell who wrote them. Draw a picture of the Gospel Book that the priest uses in our church. Where is it kept? List four of the major feast days celebrated in your church. From your priest or choir director, get the words to a hymn that you can learn. Note it here (or in your notebook), and sing it for your priest. H. Choose your favorite Bible story. Write it in your own words, and tell the story and its meaning to your priest. Suggested books: God is With Us by Sophie Koulomzin, DRE The Nelson Children's Bible Thomas Nelson Co. Christian Stewardship: Everything we have is given to us by God. We can serve God in many ways to show our love and gratitude for these gifts, such as, time - by serving as an altar server; talent - by singing in the choir. I. Decide how you can be a steward in helping your church. (Suggested activities: Ironing the wax off the carpet in the church, cleaning and polishing the candle stands; cleaning the icons; washing the floors; and as a group activity, making church bread for a service.) J. Pictures of your activity: 10 P age Chi-Rho w w w. E O C S. o r g

14 COMPLETION PART III My Signature Date Completed Comments by Parent or Guardian: Signature of Parent or Guardian Comments by Priest: Signature of Priest 11 P age Chi-Rho w w w. E O C S. o r g

15 Registration Instructions 1. Final Review: When all three parts are completed, the priest should arrange a meeting between the recipient, the parents or guardians and himself. This discussion could begin with what it meant to work together as a family on the Chi-Rho Program. 2. Registration: At this conference, the Application/Order Form should be filled out and submitted with payment (checks should be payable to P.R.A.Y.) to the following address: Programs of Religious Activities with Youth (P.R.A.Y.) S. Towne Sq Ste B St. Louis, MO (800) (314) Please allow two to three weeks prior to presentation date. It should be presented in the church by an appropriate church authority. The Uniform Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of the USA should be consulted for the proper location of the emblem on the uniform. The Application/Order form may also be faxed to PRAY. All faxes are considered rush orders and will be assessed $6.00 for the special handling. Faxes that are received by noon Central Standard Time will be processed and shipped that same day. 3. The Emblem: The Chi-Rho emblem has been developed by the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting to help young people of the Orthodox faith to advance in the knowledge and practice of Orthodox Christian religious living. Its purpose is to help the child become more aware of God's presence in his or her daily life, especially through things we do in our home and in our church. The Chi-Rho program encourages close cooperation between the family and the church by utilizing parents or guardians and the parish priest as counselors. The presentation of the medal is made only on the authority of the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting through the local parish priest. 12 P age Chi-Rho w w w. E O C S. o r g

16 APPLICATION / ORDER FORM A. Candidates Information Name Address City State Zip Phone Age Birthdate B. Church Information Church Name Address City State Zip Priest Bishop of Diocese/Jurisdiction C. Agency Information: Circle One: BSA GSUSA Troop Council name D. Order Information: Check items desired: Chi-Rho Kit (Medal and Lapel Pin) $14.00 Chi-Rho Certificate $ 1.00 Add $0.50 Registration per applicant plus $3.50 shipping per order Ship to: E. Certification This is to certify that has completed the activities of the CHI-RHO program and is worthy of the medal. We ask that this application be approved. Recipient Date Parent/Guardian Date Priest Date Unit Leader Date 13 P age Chi-Rho w w w. E O C S. o r g

17 Eastern Orthodox Religious Growth Programs The St. George Program Grades 1, 2, 3 The Chi-Rho Program Grades 4, 5 The Alpha Omega Program Grades 6-12 The Prophet Elias Award Adults 14 P age Chi-Rho w w w. E O C S. o r g