CLICK HERE for the official Conference review article - 58th A.R.O.Y. Conference in Review: Remember the Presence of God by Jessica Precop, National A.R.O.Y. Board Member.

I M A G E   G A L L E R Y

Friday, August 31

Divine Liturgy

			The Cathedral was open and ready to receive the many guests who entered its doors throughout the weekend.
			The Friday morning Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Hmonk. Calinic (Berger), A.R.O.Y. Spiritual Advisor, assisted by Rev. Dns. Sabin Pop (Cathedral Deacon) & Horaţiu Balanean (Sts. Peter & Paul Church, Dearborn Hts. MI)

 
Lunch & Conference Sessions

			Following Liturgy, lunch was served in the courtyard.
			Friends get re-acquainted and catch-up on old times during lunch.
			The 58th Annual A.R.O.Y. Conference was then called to order that afternoon.
			President John E. Lazar welcomes the delegates and guests, and begins the items on the agenda.
			A special speaker was invited to give a brief presentation on the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (O.C.F.) Campus Ministry.  Miss Christina Stavros, a member of the O.C.F. Committee, was kind enough to share the work of the O.C.F. with the delegation.
			Members from Portland A.R.O.Y. proudly model the conference t-shirt.
			Later that same day, the delegation broke up into two workshops, teens & post-teens, to reflect on their experiences and potential in A.R.O.Y.
			The break-out sessions were led by members of the National Board.
			Jennifer Roman, National Vice President, presents introduces the discussion when the two groups rejoin.
			Alexandra Stan (Sts. Peter & Paul A.R.O.Y.) and Claudia Cook (Cathedral Jr. A.R.O.Y.) present the findings of the teen group.
			Past President Dan Hoarşte presents the findings of the post-teen group.
			Vladimir Hriţcu (Cathedral Sr. A.R.O.Y.) also adds to the post-teen re-cap.
			The delegation representing Portland A.R.O.Y.
			Archbishop Nathaniel and Hmonk. Calinic (Berger), A.R.O.Y. Spiritual Advisor.
			Vice President Jennifer Roman and Treasurer Maranda Tipa.
			Past President Fr. Leo Copacia pauses for a photo with National Board Members Justine Bogdan and Maranda Tipa.
			Friends from Chicago and Youngstown enjoying the beautiful weather...
			...and friends from Detroit doing the same.

 
Boat Cruise on the Detroit River

			Friday evening, almost 200 delegates and guests proceeded to downtown Detroit, on the banks of the Detroit River, to spend the evening cruising along the U.S./Canadian border between the cities of Detroit and Windsor.
			Boarding the boat.
			Throughout the evening, friends and family had the opportunity to enjoy one another's company while dancing and enjoying the beautiful sunset and Detroit skyline.

 
Saturday, September 1

Conference Sessions & Lunch

			Nicole and Patricia getting ready for another exciting day.
			The conference re-convenes with various committee reports.
			Delegates offered questions and comments on the various topics discussed.
			National Board Member Nicholas Avramaut presenting the sports committee report.
			The delegation representing Youngstown A.R.O.Y.
			Past President Nicholas Avramaut asking a question.
			Part of the delegation representing Holy Nativity A.R.O.Y.
			Lunch, again served in the courtyard.
			Delegates eagerly looking through the "hot off the press" 2006-2007 A.R.O.Y. Yearbook.
			Friends from Cleveland and Detroit making their way back into the conference.
			The delegation representing Ak-R.O.Y.
			President Lazar unveiling the new A.R.O.Y. St. Nicholas Patron Icon.
			The delegation representing Sts. Peter & Paul A.R.O.Y.
			The delegation representing Atlanta A.R.O.Y.
			Past President Fr. Leonte Copacia offered a brief reflection on the life of Archbishop Valerian, in particular his influence on the young people and future generations of our Episcopate.  The delegates then watched a brief video presentation about Archbishop Valerian.
			President Lazar then invited all the Past Presidents present at the meeting to come forward for the unveiling of a plaque commemorating each of them that will be displayed at Vatra Românească.
			Archbishop Nathaniel offers his observations, as well as thanks and congratulations to the old and newly-elected National Boards.
			The delegation rises for the concluding prayer.

 
Great Vespers

			Great Vespers was celebrated in the Cathedral by V. Rev. Fr. Laurence Lazar, Cathedral Dean.
			Also celebrating and assisting were V. Rev. Fr. Panayot Pamukov (Retired - Bulgarian Metropolitanate), Rev. Fr. Anton Frunza (Annunciation Church, Grand Rapids MI) & Rev. Dn. Sabin Pop.

 
International Night Dinner & Dance

			That evening at the parish cultural center, everyone was invited to an "International Night" featuring a delicious menu of various ethnic foods and dancing to American and Romanian music. The committee quickly hangs flags in the large hall...
			...while others fill balloons.
			The ladies of the kitchen pause for a group photo as they prepare for the evening event.
			Attendees gather on the dance floor throughout the evening.
			Past President Frank Copacia, Immediate Past President John E. Lazar, Chad Copacia and Bogdan Biliboaca take a moment for a quick photo.
			Molly Copacia and Psa. Anita Lazar.
			Nicholas Avramaut posing with the yearbook and his favorite t-shirt (both of which were sold throughout the weekend).
			More friends and families enjoying the evening...
			Dsa. Ramona Pop & Psa. Anita Lazar working at one of the food tables.

 
Sunday, September 2

Hierarchal Divine Liturgy

			Before the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy, His Eminence blessed the new A.R.O.Y. St. Nicholas Patron Icon.
			The celebrating priests at the altar - (L-R) Rev. Fr. Constantin Enache, V. Rev. Fr. Panayot Pamukov & V. Rev. Fr. Laurence Lazar.
			(L-R) Rev. Hmonk. Calinic (Berger) & V. Rev. Fr. Leonte Copacia.
			The deacons reciting the petitions.
			The Little Entrance with the Holy Gospel Book.
			During the reading of the Holy Gospel.
			"Holy, Holy, Holy..."
			Several A.R.O.Y. friends join together with the Cathedral's "Archbishop Valerian" Choir under the direction of John E. Lazar.
			Archdeacon David Oancea, R.O.E.A. Chancellor.
			During the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence ordained Subdeacon Laike Misikir into the Holy Diaconate for service at St. Raphael of Brooklyn Church in Detroit.
			"He is worthy!  Vrednic este!"
			The new deacon says his first litany.
			A Memorial Service (Parastas) was held in memory of all deceased hierarchs, spiritual advisors, past presidents, & members of A.R.O.Y.
			The final blessing.

 
Grand Banquet

			Following the Liturgy, hundreds of faithful in attendance were invited into the cultural center for the Grand Banquet.
			The ladies amid preparing the delicious menu.
			Preparing the dessert.
			Mrs. Ieliţa Daba preparing the dignitaries reception in the Library/Conference Room.
			Immediate Past President John E. Lazar, Archbishop Nathaniel, Newly-elected National President Lisa Nemeş, and Hmonk. Calinic (Berger) at the upper head table.
			Conference Co-chairs Maranda Tipa and Kristina Persichino offer their welcome and thanks to all who participated.
			A surprise cake and flowers for Fr. Lazar who celebrated his 60th birthday that day.
			Immediate Past President John E. Lazar offers remarks.
			President John E. Lazar awards the 2007 A.R.O.Y.-Stanitz Scholarships to Frank Persichino and Christine Placinta, both of Cathedral A.R.O.Y.
			Newly-elected National A.R.O.Y. President Lisa Nemeş (Youngstown A.R.O.Y.)
			Following the conclusion of the Banquet, friends gather to sing traditional patriotic hymns.

 
"Sweet Dreams" Debutante Ball

			The social highlight and conclusion of the conference weekend is the annual Debutante Ball at which young ladies are presented to all in attendance as Debutantes. A couple debutantes get last-minute instructions from Ana Lazar, one of the Debutante Ball Co-chairs.
			The debutantes gather for a photograph and last-minute preparations prior to the formal presentation in the hotel Grand Ballroom.
			Debutante Denise Sandulescu with her escort, Greg Maxim.
			The hundreds of attendees, both young and old, danced traditional Romanian dances into the early hours of the morning and enjoyed one another's company.
			The dancing even made it out the door!