55TH ANNUAL AROY CONFERENCE

FAIRLAWN, OHIO

SEPTEMBER 3-5, 2004

A successful 55th Conference of the American Romanian Orthodox Youth was held September 3-5 at The Presentation of Our Lord Orthodox Church in Fairlawn, Ohio. The weekend began on Friday morning as the Delegates gathered to celebrate the Divine Liturgy served by Rev Fr Constantine Tofan. Later that night, friends gathered in the pavilion at the church for a complimentary reception of appetizers and pizza. The evening was filled with the fun of a bonfire, catching up with old friends, and meeting others from across the country. Young people could be seen talking, playing basketball, and roasting marshmallows with people they had known all of their lives as well as those they had just met.

Meetings convened Saturday morning and continued throughout the day. The chapters in attendance were Ak-ROY (Akron/Fairlawn OH), Arizona AROY (Phoenix/Glendale AZ), Canton AROY (Canton OH), Cathedral AROY (Detroit/Southfield MI), Cleveland AROY (Cleveland OH), Holy Cross AROY (Hermitage PA), Holy Nativity AROY (Chicago IL), LA-ROY (Los Angeles CA), Pomona AROY (Pomona CA), SP-AROY (Saint Paul MN), Sts Peter and Paul AROY (Dearborn Heights MI), and Youngstown AROY (Youngstown OH). In addition to discussing the annual business of the organization, the delegates broke up into smaller workshop groups, headed by a National Board member, in order to discuss the current path and future goals of AROY. These workshops were an excellent way for new and old AROY members to voice opinions, ask questions, and develop a clearer idea about the organization that they are a vital part of. When the meetings adjourned, the Delegates participated in Vespers and Confession. Saturday evening a crowd of over two hundred attended a Caribbean theme event at the pavilion. People came dressed in bright colors, Hawaiian shirts, and grass skirts. They enjoyed a traditional luau menu of spit-roasted pig, rice, and pineapple cake. Some spent the night dancing, while others reminisced around a bonfire.

LAROY was represented by Miss Marcela Macarevici.

The Hierarchal Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Sunday by His Eminence, Archbishop NATHANIEL and clergy: V Rev Fr Constantine Tofan, Rev Fr Ian Pac-Urar, and Rev Fr Anton Frunza. The parish was also blessed with the ordination of Deacon Wayne Wright. An appetizer reception was held for everyone in the social hall immediately after the Divine Liturgy, followed by a Grand Banquet where three new chapters: Pomona, Los Angeles, and Saint Paul were presented with their charters. That night, the Grand Cotillion Ball was held in the Ballroom of the Hilton Hotel. The presentation included fifteen girls who came from chapters across the United States. The remainder of the evening was filled with dancing as everyone enjoyed the final night of this year’s convention.

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