Photos from the youth retreat held at St. Nicholas Convent in Constantia, NY December 24-27, 2010

1. St Nicholas Convent Nativity Fast Youth RetreatDecember 24-27, 2010

2. Pond and cabin on the Convent grounds

3. All-night Vigil for St. HermanVespers

4. Choir led by Serge VandalovFriday evening

5. Deacon Dimiti from Holy Trinity parish in Astoria, NY joined us for services

6. Matins on St. Herman’s Day

7. All-night Vigil for St. HermanFriday evening Anointing

8. Rainbow over the Convent early Sunday morning

9. A few words following Divine Liturgy

10. Aaaah! Time for some outdoor fun!

11. The boysSaturday afternoon

12. A race to the bottomSaturday afternoon

13. Greg is flying!Saturday afternoon

14. Volodya gets their first!Saturday afternoon

15. Symeon heads for the pond

16. Ice skating on the pond Saturday afternoon

17. Testing out the ice on the pond

18. Thinking about the upcoming talk?

19. Fr Daniel speaking about Holy Communion

20. Fr Daniel’s presentationSaturday afternoon

21. Time for some lunch!

22. Savva helps out with the dishes

23. Time for some outdoor fun again

24. Bringing in some wood for splitting

25. Methodyoffering tipson splitting wood(we’re lucky Sasha came)

26. A job well done

27. Fr Nikita joins us Sunday afternoon for a talk on music

28. Mat. Agapia wonders what kind of musicSt Nestor listened to before he battled the gladiator

29. After dinner it’s Fr. Nicholas’ turnto lead a discussion on the temptations of drinking

30. Oh boy, why did mat. Agapia give me this topic to talk about…

31. No worries, he did such a good job that the talk carried on to the bonfire outside later that evening…

32. Sunday evening bonfire

33. Monday morningInto the woods to visit the sites picked for the St. Seraphim shrine

34. Group number 1’s spot

35. Singing the troparion to St Seraphim

36. Alexis thinks this is definitely the best spot

37. The mothers enjoy the walk in the woods

38. I think St Seraphim would like this spot

39. Fr Daniel loves the cold

40. Sophia tells us about her recent pilgrimage to Greece, Romania and Bulgaria

41. Time for the talent show

42. Sarah Granger on the flute

43. Thanks for suggesting we have this retreat Mia