First Orthodox liturgy performed at Philmont

CIMARRON, NM (EOCS) - This summer Orthodox Scouts from in and around Seattle, Washington took an exciting and adventurous trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. As part of their experience, the Scouts participated in the first known Orthodox Liturgy to be celebrated at Philmont.

The event was organized by Troop 67, jointly sponsored by the Seattle area’s Eastern Orthodox churches. The trip was also open to eligible Orthodox Scouts in locally sponsored troops.

Philmont is in the northeast corner of New Mexico. It includes over 137 thousand rugged acres (214 square miles) of wilderness, with mountains, plains, rivers, trees and wildflowers. The area is inhabited by deer, elk, bears and mountain lions plus many species of birds, and even “mini-bears” (chipmunks). These are joined each summer by some 20,000 Boy Scouts from all over the US and some foreign countries.

Because of its popularity, it’s very difficult to gain admission to Philmont, and planning begins over a year in advance. Applicants are placed in a lottery system. After trying unsuccessfully last year, the Orthodox group from Seattle was lucky enough to make it in 2009.

All together there were five adults and nine boys, including John Prekeges, group leader and crew adviser, his brother James as second crew adviser, and Father Dean Koudukis, pastor of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Seattle. Father Dean served as group chaplain.

After arriving at Philmont the group spent Monday July 6 in camp preparing for the hike. The Orthodox Scouts were assigned one of the harder treks - a total of 75 miles, although in the end they covered close to 85 miles. Packs can weigh from 45 lbs to over 60 lbs.

Tuesday morning they set out on the 11-day trek. Along the way, they used burros for two days to help pack their gear. Some of the Scouts made a side hike to the top of 12,441 foot Mount Baldy, viewing incredible scenery.

On Sunday July 12, at an outdoor chapel on the trail, Father Dean celebrated the first known Orthodox Divine Liturgy at Philmont. When arriving, Father Dean brought wine and prosphoron with him and the Philmont staff kept these refrigerated at base camp. In an ecumenical gesture, the camp’s Rabbi and Catholic bishop helped make sure that these liturgical necessities were transported to the chapel in time.

The entire Orthodox group attended the Liturgy, joined by a chipmunk who had made his home in the stone altar. The service provided a memorable experience of worshipping God in the natural world that he created.

In addition to hiking the boys accomplished some other fun activities including: horseback riding, blacksmithing, panning for gold, visiting an old mine, and some black powder shooting along the trail. On the last day, they crossed over the famous Tooth of Time. This is a large tooth-like rock that served as a landmark for the early settlers in the area.

Orthodox Scouts in the Pacific Northwest are now looking forward to more exciting trips to Philmont in the summers to come.

(Fr. Michael Johnson is retired having served Greek Orthodox parishes in Seattle, Tacoma, and Kenmore (now Shoreline) WA. He is the Northwest Outreach Coordinator of the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting, a SCOBA agency.)