Hogar Raphel Orphanage Mission Service Trip

Wednesday, December 31, 1969

   

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2013 Mission Hogar Team Activity

 June 14th - Day 1 "We Travel"

Today the team of 11 members from various parishes throughout New England Departed Boston Logan Airport to embark on the over half a day long journey to the Hogar Raphael Orphanage. The journey began on the evening of June 13th when team members gathered at a local parishioners house for a Taco Fiesta send off dinner. The fun continued into the early hours of the morning as the team members packed over 11 bags (FULL TO THE BRIM) of items that were donated by the faithful of our parishes from throughout New England to be brought down to the Hogar. Currently the team is in route and expected to be landing in Guatemala at 2:00 pm on June 14th. If everything goes smoothly and according to plan the team should arrive at the Hogar later in the day. PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SAFETY AND STRENGTH OF OUR TEAM!!

  

June 15th - Day 2 "A birthday that will never be forgotton"

bostoel 15 de junio- ¡Día Número dos aquí en Guatemala! So on Saturdays in the Hogar, the niños get to sleep in and not have matins in the morning. We woke up after a SOLID night's sleep, had some yummy breakfast where Michael proceeded to immediately spill jam on his shirt, and were put right to work. We scrubbed the windows of the chapel, did  lots of weeding, and the men did a lot of really great, super hard work mowing the lawn under some difficult conditions. We experienced the greatness of the pool and had a super delicious lunch. Today is our teammate Patricia's birthday and she got to share it with the lovely Sofia who lives here and turned 6 today. We spent our afternoon playing soccer and hanging out with the older girls and being chased around and attacked by the little ones. The kids are great; one was claiming to be Fr. Peter Chamberas when we asked him his name. The kids run us tired, but we are loving every second of it. After celebrating vespers and matins for tomorrow morning, we headed off to dinner then had a nice team meeting while the kids headed off to bed. It was nice to sit down and debrief with each other and Fr. Peter and our new amiga, Olivia, the midterm missionary here. And then Daphne drew an emotional stick figure. Hasta mañana, Boston. ¡Buenas noches!

                      Katherine Dimitriou - BC Graduate and current Spanish Teacher

     

June 16th - Day 3 "We speak 5 languages"
 
A modern day saint from the 1980s, by the name of Mother Gavriela, was a pioneer of missionary work. During her missionary travels she was challenged by a man who accused her of being a bad Christian. Mother asked the man in what way she could be considered a bad Christian. The man told Mother that she could not properly spread the word of God and do the work of God because all of her missionary work was done in English. This comment very much bothered the nun and she went entered into prayer to determine how best to respond to the man's accusation. After much prayer the Lord gave her the answer and Mother responded to the man by saying, "Oh, I forgot to tell you that I speak five languages." The man said "Really? What are these five languages?" Mother responded, "The first is the smile, the second is tears. The third is to touch. The fourth is prayer, and the fifth is love. With these five languages I go all around the world."   
 
Our team is a diverse group of Arabs, Greeks, Spanish speakers, and non-Spanish speakers - newlyweds, students, people who have traveled and people who have never been outside of the United States. On our day of rest this Sunday we learned that we all have a common language, and that is the language of love. After a long liturgy spoken in a combination of Spanish, English, and Greek - our day of rest was spent playing games with children. Without words we have communicated with smiles, gestures and lots of running around: with words we have delved deeper into what the Hogar teaches about living in the Orthodox Faith.
 
Many of the older children, the same children who frequent the nightly competitive soccer games, care for the younger children and are perfect examples of how to be responsible and loving as gran hermanas (big sisters). The younger children do well to follow in their footsteps with forgiveness. As children do, sometimes they get hurt in games or hurt each other by accident. I was sitting with two children and the chica said to the chico something that hurt his feelings. I asked her if she thought she did something wrong. Te culpa? She said yes. Then I asked her apologize to the chico. She said lo siento and before she walked away I asked her to apologize with sincerity. Con sinceridad por favor. The chica went over to the boy who was sitting with a sad face and she gave him a hug, a kiss on the head and repeated lo siento. With a simple gesture the chico completely forgot about why he was upset and the children went back to playing.   
 
Often times during games, chores, or following the schedule the children do not need to be told to be kind to one another. Whereas, for American children, consistent obedience and kindness is a difficult behavior to master at such a young age. Although as missionaries we have been working hard to communicate with the languages of love, smiles, tears, touch, and prayer - it is becoming more and more clear during our stay in Guate that those languages are things we use but continue to learn about. And the children here are our teachers. The children are a family and show us how to treat one another as a loving family should.
 
   Yasmin Adam - NYU Graduate and current Grad School Student in Social Work
 
     
 
June 17th - Day 3 "Big is God"
 
We had a major change of plans at the crack of dawn this morning, and instead of getting back to our groundskeeping at 7:00am, Jorge piled everyone into the Hogar' bus and headed out into the countryside to visit the monestary we have all heard so much about. I have never seen so much on a 30-minute drive. Being in downtown Guatemala City - -which is not the best of neighborhoods -- we saw a lot which we do not typically see around the Boston area. From stray dogs to armed guards on every street corner, we saw first hand the poverty that surrounds the amazing place we have been staying at, we saw where these children would be growing up if it were not for Hogar Rafael. Going through the suburbs, we saw everything from slums to country clubs, and it is just unbelievable how these extremes can exist in such close proximity.
 
As we came around a bend with a terrific view of an active volcano, we arrived at the monestary which could not have been in a more beautiful spot, especially considering what we had just driven through. We were received by Madre Ines, the woman who has made everything for both the Hogar and the monestary possible. She brought us into the Church of the Holy Trinity, at it was like nothing I have seen before. I cannot even begin to describe the iconography which covered the entire church, and I highly recommend that you look at some of the pictures. Climbing into the balcony of the church gave us a terrific view not only of the iconography inside of the church, but the windows gave us a stunning view of the lake and the mountains. Mother Ines, however, was not done with us yet, and insisted that we climb up another staircase which brought us onto a small balcony on the roof of the church. Before I could even finish looking around, she insisted that I climb the ladder behind me onto the next level of the roof, only to raise a second ladder so that our team -- including the ever-adventurous Fr. Peter -- could climb to the very top of the church. I don't know if you have ever felt as if you were on top of the world, but I know eleven other people who shared that feeling with me.
 
After convincing the team that we could stay on the roof forever, Mother Ines was gracious enough to show us around San Miguel Del Lago which is where the children from the Hogar will be moving shortly. The facility was just as beautiful as the church, and the children will be so fortunate to have a home in such a beautiful and safe place. The same questions kept popping up. How is this possible? Who is paying for this? etc. With out a hint of doubt, Mother Ines simply told us that God is bigger than all of us, and that he will provide. Grande es Dios. Big is God. While we were all excited to get back to the children, no one seemed ready to leave that beautiful place. Some of Mother Ines's parting words to us really summed up her mission with the Hogar: "We are educating for freedom, not for slavery"
 
  Michael Dimitriou - Bentley University Junior and Camp Counselor Extrodinaire

  

June 18th - Day 4: "Joy in a Smile"

Our team split into groups and set out to tackle the projects to be done early Tuesday  morning by weed whacking, lawn mowing, sweeping, and gardening. Consumed in work, I almost began to forget about the bustling city of Guatemala beyond the walls. The Hogar serves as an oasis for everyone even within this concrete ghetto. As a stranger to the environment it was difficult to see the joy or peace in the midst of the loud noises of people yelling, car horns honking and trucks trudging by on the surrounding streets. I began to ponder it further as I swept the walk ways leading for building to building.

I was walking past a classroom and noticed the children coloring, laughing, and playing and couldn't help but smile. I looked down at the bracelet Lupe (one of the oldest girls at the Hogar) gave to me the other day and remembered how bright she smiled when she gave it to me. Speechless and scrambling to find some words in spanish that would describe my touched emotions, I stopped, looked at her and then just hugged her. She hugged me back so tight that I almost couldn't breathe. I continued to sweep smiling thinking about the days that have passed and the experiences shared so far. 

Later in the day we decided to play a mini soccer game with the children, each was on a team but one, Rene. Rene has a slight mental disability. He was sitting on the side lines watching the game and flailing his arms in excitement when the ball was kicked. Lupe, grabbed one of the smaller balls and walked him over to the goal. She placed the smaller ball in front of his feet and stepped back. With excitement he flailed his arms, smiled really wide and kicked with all his might. The ball flew into the goal and the children and missionaries around him began cheering. His face lit up even more as he began to embrace those around him. His smile became contagious and we all began to cheer even louder as every kick he made resulted in a goal. These are just two of the many memories that will never be forgotten. This is the joy, I thought to myself, when words can not describe feelings but rather expressed through actions.

           Patricia Akrivoulis - Junior in Micobiology at the University of New Hampshire

Renee Scores!!

June 18 - Day 4 - "Martes"  
 
Through the dangers of the concrete jungle lies a tranquil oasis that provides a safe haven for those who reside in it. It is a place unlike any other within the heart of the city. It has grassy areas to roam freely, flowers to admire, a pool to swim in, and who can forget the 5 second walk to a beautiful church. If you haven't guessed, the place that I am talking about is the Hogar. As hard as I might try, none of my words are able to truly describe the beauty of the facility and the love that is felt as soon as you enter the gate. I would have to say the greatest beauty and love of this home comes from the children who reside here. Each and every one of them respect and love each other as they would a sibling -- it's actually a pretty amazing thing to witness to be honest. One of the most touching things that I saw happen between the older and the younger kids was while we were playing our daily soccer game.
 
As a change of pace we decided to have a "mini" soccer game with the little ones. Once the game was started the older girls started to filter in little by little and joined the game. The older girls were mentoring the younger children on how to play and learn the game of soccer as an older sibling would to a younger. It was really touching to witness because knowing that these children come from broken homes and various hardships, they can still acknowledge the need for the younger children to have someone older to look up to and learn from. Thus further supporting the saying of "Big is God". It was by His love that the children are able to reside here and learn and nurture each other and it is has been a wonderful privilege to be able to witness.
 
     Jeanne Aggouras - Junior in Nursing at the University of Massechusets Lowell 
 
  

June 19th – Day 6 “Vamos al zoo!”

Today was zoo day for the team as well as the little ones! We were so excited to see a Guatemalan zoo and all the different types of animals that were there! We saw deer, squirrels, and even raccoons! It’s funny to think that in New England, the animals in our backyards are here at a zoo to be seen by thousands. We also saw a white tiger, puma and an oversized hamster called a Capybara! Something I’ve never seen before in my life!  Each one of us in the team had an “exit buddy”, a buddy to keep an eye on while at the zoo. I had Sofia, one of the sweetest 6 year olds I have ever met! She was well behaved as well as the other children. The Hogar children altogether were very well behaved in comparison to the rest of the kids at the zoo. While our kids were gladly holding our hands and smiling, other children were running around and screaming.

After our fun at the zoo it was time for lunch, Pollo Campero! A very popular and large food chain here in Guatemala. The children were excited to play on the play-place and the adults were excited to sit down and rest for a little after a full day of walking! Once the food came, the kids devoured everything on their plate. We ate pollo and pappas fritas! There were pieces of pollo bigger than some of the kids but they still managed to eat it! Once we were done it was time to come back home to the Hogar. While in the van little Sofia would scream out “Buenas Noches!” every time we went under a bridge then “Buenos Dias!” after we drove past the bridge. The whole van couldn’t stop giggling and we all gladly joined in every time we passed under a bridge. Definitely a moment here of pure joy that I will never forget!

Once back at the Hogar, we got straight to work on loading a truck that was going to the new monastery and facility, San Miguel Del Lago. Our job was to pack 60 mattresses and 30 bunk bed frames! Definitely a challenge that our team (as well as Lupe) could handle! After a few hours the truck was packed and ready to head out the next morning. We could not have been any happier knowing we assisted in the beginning of a new move and change here at the Hogar. I only pray that the kids will have a smooth transition, as it is a big change to move from the city to the mountains and nature! But with God by their side, there is nothing to worry about! Big is God.

   Angelika Katsinis - recent Highschool graduate and freshman in college at the University of Massechusets Boston.

  

June 20 - Day 7 "First Work, then Play"
 
What a day! After a quick breakfast, which of course included black beans, the ladies went to church with the children, while the men loaded 60 mattresses onto a moving truck to take to the monastery. After prayer, Jorge took us and the four older teens (Lupe, Rebecca, Reyna, and Gloria) to the monastery. When the moving truck met us there, we all helped unload and assemble the bunk beds. This was another opportunity to see how strong the teens are, both physically and emotionally as they helped with this task.
 
As we unloaded the truck and assembled the grey and yellow bunk beds into 4 large rooms, many of us felt the teens' hesitation about the pending transition to the monastery. We started to draw parallels between the Hogar and the monastery. The children will be leaving a home surrounded by brick and mortar walls to go to a sanctuary surrounded by mountains; from a place filled with sounds of cars, buses, engines, and horns, to a place of silence; from a place with planes flying overhead, to a place where only birds fly in the sky. Most of us dislike minor changes to our lifestyle or routine, and would likely resist and fear such an extreme change simply because of all the unknowns. These children are leaving the place they consider home, many since they were babies. One can easily understand their fear and hesitation. Moving is difficult for most children and adolescents, but for these children, who are very aware they have been abandoned, it is surely more unsettling. After finishing our work in the monastery, we said our goodbyes to Mother Ines and Mother Maria, and we were on our way to Antigua.
 
Jorge drove us up the mountain to an elevation of 2000 feet and into the city. Antigua is a picturesque Colonial city, filled with colorful facades and stone roads. It has a rich history, as it was the first city settled by the Spaniards. Our first stop was a jade factory, where we learned about the importance of jade to the Mayans. Jorge then took us to 'Quesos y Vino' for a delicious Italian lunch al fresco where we witnessed James and The Giant Calzone. Try as he might, the 'medium' calzone prevailed. We counted loudly to cincuenta y tres (53) as we wished Jorge a happy birthday in both languages. After lunch, we avoided the black market and touristed and bartered our way through an enclosed open-air market. Some of us were better at bartering than others, not to mention names, but C.Tiggas could use some pointers... The van-ride home was quiet after the long day of work and play, but it was one more chance to observe the environment these children live in: the pollution, the threat of crime at every stoplight, the shacks, kids working on the streets.
 
In the safety of the Hogar, we played our last game of soccer against the girls. Many of us accumulated muscle strains over the course of the week, mostly from soccer, but we were continually impressed by the skill and tenacity of the girls, as well as the care they show for each other and for us, even in the midst of fierce competition! As tired as we were, we didn't want 8pm to come; the end of the game, and the end of our time with the kids.
 
Our last night is bittersweet. We have been blessed to be here, but also wish we could stay to see these kids through this important transition. Yet, we also realize we are just one of many teams of missionaries who have passed through the Hogar. We are sure that these kids and the institution, bravely led by 3 extraordinarily hard-working, dedicated, and inspiring nuns, will, with God's help, find a way to make this work. Most of us know one person can make a difference, but Mothers Ines, Yvonne, and Maria have really pushed the limits of what a few individuals can achieve. This blog won't allow for many details, but we will say that seeing the good that these 3 women have brought forth is truly astounding. Needless to say, we are already making plans to return.
 
 Daphne & Nektarios - Newlyweds! Daphne is a Psychologist and Nektarios is an Engineer.
 

June 21 - Day 8 "Its only the beginning"

“To listen is to continually give up all expectation and to give our attention, completely and freshly, to what is before us, not really knowing what we will hear or what that will mean. In the practice of our days, to listen is to lean in, softly, with a willingness to be changed by what we hear” – Mark Nepo

Open your ears. Take in every last sound that you hear. The soft humming of a light that is on; the sound of the breeze swaying the branches of nearby trees; the woosh of a car driving by, maybe honking loudly as it goes; the roaring of an airplane as it takes off or lands; the murmuring of peoples conversations that are going on around you. Each sound having its own frequency and adding to one another until they mesh together to make music of sorts.Now add the playful laughs and giggles of young children playing in the afternoon; The sounds of church bells ringing to signify the beginning of a service; the melodic voices of children singing so beautifully to a hymn well known to them; the sound of a soccer ball ricocheting off of a wall and the shuffling of feet fighting to gain its possession; the cheers, that follow a well deserved goal.These are just a few of the sounds that were heard every day at the Hogar.

Today was our last morning at the Hogar, and it was a tough one to say the least. As we woke, there was melancholy felt between my teammates and I because we all knew that it was the day we were heading home.  We started our morning as usual; with breakfast in the cafeteria followed by Orthros in the church. However, instead of going to work either gardening, painting or moving, we were forced to say goodbye to the children and everyone that we had met during our stay. To say and hear goodbye was one of the most saddening yet uplifting moments I have ever experienced. Through the murmurs of each one of us saying goodbye to the children one by one, the mutual love and respect we had for one another was truly felt. Tears were shed, lasting hugs were given, and most of all, memories were made. Each and every one of the children had a specific quality that will forever be engraved into my heart – whether it is the sound of their laughter, the tightness of their hugs, their willingness to learn, or their openness to other people. However, what I will remember most of all is their strength and resilience.

Each and every one of the children at the Hogar are fighting some sort of battle and each of them can carry out their days knowing that there is a brighter future ahead if they keep forging through the tough times. It was through their laughter, and singing, and fun stories that we were truly able to hear what they were teaching us – whether the children realized it or not. Their lesson being to greet each day with an unwavering desire to live life to the fullest no matter what life’s situation may be.To learn, we must listen, and throughout the week that is exactly what we did. As a team we listened to what each and every child had to say and gained knowledge about who they are as a person. After the van was packed and we said our goodbyes, we made our way to the airport. While the children were not with us, they were still in our hearts. We even adopted their game of yelling “buenos noches” while going under a bridge and “buenos dias” upon our exit.

As you can see, through having our hearts, minds, and ears open throughout the week we were able to connect with the children in a way that can only be done if you completely open yourself up to an experience and absorb all that is going on around you. Many of us did not have an expectation going into the week because we really had no idea what was going to lie ahead of us. The lack of expectations, however, led us to having one of the most memorable weeks, forever changing who we are. We listened and learned to put it simply. Now I am sitting on an airplane listening to the murmurs of people surrounding me, the droning of the planes engines, and the lingering laughter of the children who forever changed my life playing in the background of my memory.

          Jeanne Aggouras - Junior in Nursing at the University of Massechusets Lowell

 

 A final entry – June 22 “The Humor of God”

A little over eleven years ago I sat listening to a presentation by two women in my home parish in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They were sharing their experience and the story of this home for orphaned and abandoned children in Guatemala City, Guatemala. They showed pictures, told stories, and through the limits of our language tried to put into words what they had seen and the inexpressibly joyful experience of their time in this “orphanage”. An orphanage that is truly an oasis in the middle of chaos and danger, in zone one, the heart of the capital city in a third world country. As I sat there listening to them share their story a flame was lit within me igniting a desire to go and experience for myself. At the time I thought it impossible (since then I have learned from the wisest of teachers to avoid thinking or speaking in absolutes) to be able to go to Hogar help, serve, play and experience that pure Joy that seemed so hard to put into words.

However, this past week I, and ten other young adults, were given the opportunity to spend a week at the Hogar. What I saw and experienced was far beyond my wildest hope or expectation. Although nothing can replace a mother, a father and a family, the Hogar is by far the most wonderful runner up. The children that live there are orphaned or abandoned and come from broken families and past lives. At the Hogar they are not just cared for until they become an adult, they find healing and are truly nurtured. They are taught skills (such as sewing, carpentry, and cooking), they are educated (through college if they choose), they are disciplined in love (just as a parent does for their child), they are listened to, they are hugged, and they are grafted into a family that loves and cares for each other.  Their special talents and passions are nurtured; the children are empowered to reach their full potential.  At the Hogar, they are given every chance and opportunity to succeed and have a fruitful future, but the freedom is left for them to choose their own path and course.  Unlike other orphanages in the country, the children at the Hogar are raised in love, in the most purest and honest sense of the word, a love that is truly from God.  

Our team served the Hogar in two ways, the first was through work (basic landscaping, painting and moving) and the second was through relationship. We were asked to spend time playing, communicating and interacting with the children who reside in this oasis in the midst of chaos. However, what we learned and gained ourselves was far beyond anything we could have possibly given. What we gave through our work, our presence and our relationships, was given back to us seventy fold in blessings and experiences that have forever changed us as people.  We had the opportunity to see the face of God through the children. We shared in the Joy of God through their smiles. We experienced His pure and unabounding love through their hugs. We witnessed His greatness through their ability to see the good in the world despite the pain they have suffered.  We saw the healing power of His compassion as their wounds and scars are tended too.

The greatest lesson I learned through the week is that God has a sense of humor and I believe He enjoys playing practical jokes on us, to remind us that He is there and has us in His hands. One of the tasks of our team was to pack and move 30 bunk beds from the Hogar to San Miguel where we then set them up in anticipation for the arrival of the children. The irony of the situation is that many of the beds were given to the Hogar through a donation drive that was arranged by the same women who’s presentation and stories, shared over 10 years before, lit the flame that one day would carry me there and put those beds in my hands. As we moved the beds one of our team members, Angelika Katsinis, came across a number of beautiful icons attached to the beds that had been donated by her home parish, St. Nektarios in Roslindale.  I found out that one of the staff members that works there is from the same small town in Palestine that one of the young women who donated to our team to help send us to the Hogar. The language of the Hogar is the language a love, a language that comes from God Himself, and you don’t need words to speak it. No matter how little Spanish we spoke or how little English the Children understood, we didn’t need words because we were all fluent in the languages of smile, touch, love, prayer and tears. God’s humor taught us that when you speak in the language of the heart, the ears are not necessary.

As I sat years ago listening to the journey of someone else, I couldn’t imagine I would ever be in their shoes. Just as they tried desperately to find the words to express something completely inexpressible, here I am doing the same. God does indeed have a sense of humor. A humor that comes in the form of what we call irony, coincidence or luck, but it reminds us that He has a plan and through Him all is possible. A humor that often time takes form in an everlasting and incredibly powerful experience for us.  A humor that can be summarized succinctly by the Hogar's famous saying “Big is God”.

I thank God for His gift of the Hogar to the world. Not only for the children, His most precious creation, that live there, but also for us who through it have the gift of experiencing His pure joy through the smiles and love that it offers. I thank God for His gift of Madre Ines, Madre Ivonne and Madre Maria, whose witness of our Faith to the country of Guatemala, their work with the Hogar and their other projects (of which there are many) continually manifest His magnificence, compassion and love for His creation. I thank God for reminding me that through Him all is possible, and bringing me to the Hogar. Most of all, I thank God for you and I pray that as a spark was lit in me through the words and experiences of others over 10 years ago that it is also is now lit within you.

Please pray for the country of Guatemala and that the witness of our faith continue to grow through the efforts of the few, but strong, examples living in the country today. Pray for Madre Ines, Madre Ivonne, Madre Maria, the staff and the children of the Hogar, that God continue to guide, strengthen and protect them as they face unimaginable hardships and struggles that we fail to comprehend. Pray for Mother Ivonne and the Children as they prepare to move to San Miguel del Lago. Pray that as they leave the place they have called home for over 17 years God continues to guide and strengthen them and that they have a smooth transition into their new home. Pray, especially in these days immediately following the trip for the members of our team, that the hole in our hearts is filled with thankfulness and Joy for the experience and growth we shared, making the pain of our departure tolerable.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios who made this trip, and every ministry of the Metropolis of Boston, possible. We’d like to thank Fr. Peter Chamberas for taking our team under his wing and being our guide and clergy representative for our team. I'd like to thank James Scangas for being the co-leader and helping to handle the administration and travel arrangements making it possible for us to go. The team members for the sacrifices they made and every piece of themselves that they willingly gave to the Hogar and the children.  I’d like to thank Olivia Morton, a long-term missionary of the Hogar whose guidance was instrumental during our time there. She truly is a shining example of love and service! Of course, last but by no means least, WE would like to thank the Hogar, Madre Ivonne and the children, for opening their home and hearts to us, therefore allowing us to serve and grow.  As our trip enters into its next phase, for we've truly just begun, I am forever grateful for the love and joy in the experience and the lessons learned, these shall stay close to my heart and be carried with me as I continue the journey. In closing the only appropriate thing that can be said is truly BIG IS GOD!!

                  Chrysanthy Tiggas – Metropolis of Boston Youth Coordinator


The Cannon!!


The Bells!!

Time for Church!

Boys will be Boys

Patty Cake - Guatemalan Style!

Learning to Count!

Stretch Armstrong!

WE ARRIVED!!!!!

Meet Our Team!

Fr. Peter Chamberas


Our mission team and clergy leader is Fr. Peter Chamberas. Fr. Peter has been a member of the Clergy serving this Metropolis for over 30 years! Currently, he is the presiding chaplain of the Holy Cross Seminary, where he serves regularly for worship services as well as guiding and mentoring the seminarians. Fr. Peter has a long history with the Hogar and has been many times, serving as a missionary alongside his Daughter Alexia.

Yasmin Adam

Yasmin is a 22 year-old student graduating in May with a degree in social work. She has been studying for the last few years at New York University. Yasmin grew up in Manchester New Hampshire as an active member of the St. George Greek Orthodox Church. She has been involved in the MBC camp program since 1998, being a camper for 10 years before she was old enough became a staff member, and serving for the last six years at camp. Yasmin has participated in numerous Mission trips as a young adult but is very much looking forward to her first mission experience to Guatemala.

Jeanne Aggouras

Jeanne is currently a sophomore studying Nursing at University of Massachusetts in Lowell. She grew up as a member of the St. Athanasius Parish in Arlington where she was actively involved in the various youth groups and outreach ministries of the parish. Jeanne was the first in what would become a long line of campers to grow up in the Metropolis of Boston Camp Program, where she still serves as a staff member in both the summer and winter Programs. When she's not studying Jeanne is involved in the OCF at her school and also helps with retreats at the Camp! 

Patricia Akrivoulis

Patricia is currently a sophomore at the University of New Hampshire studying Medical Microbiology. Originally from Arlington MA, she grew up being very close to the St. Athanasius Church, participating in G.O.Y.A. and being a part of their various ministries such as volunteering at the Philoxenia House. Patricia attended the Metropolis of Boston Camp as a camper for over six years and has now been serving as a counselor for the past three years. In addition to serving at the camp during the summer she also spends many of her weekends during the year helping at retreats both at the camp and also in parishes. Patricia shares openly that her time at MBC and being involved in ministry has made such an impact on her life that she feels a deep cause and urge to give back to the Church and to the ministries that have helped to shape her life. Patricia absolutely cannot wait to be a part of the 2013 Hogar Team!!

Katherine Dimtriou

Katherine is a senior at Boston College studying Secondary Education and Hispanic Studies where she participated in OCF. Katherine is an extremely talented musician who plays the trumpet in the BC Eagles band. She grew up as an active member at the St. Gregory the Theologian in Mansfield, MA. She has been attending MBC for over 14 years, 10 years as a camper and almost 5 years as a staff member.  She started a long legacy of Dimitriou's at the camp, one that has been followed up by her younger sister Alexandra (who is still a camper) and Michael (who is a fellow missionary and staff member).

Michael Dimitriou


Michael is a sophomore at Bentley University studying Computer Information Systems. He grew up as a member of the St. Gregory the Theologian Parish in Mansfield where he was active in the various youth ministries and served for many years as an altar boy. Michael also attended the Metropolis of Boston Camp as a camper for many years, and when he was old enough joined the ranks of staff alongside his older sister Katherine, a fellow missionary as well. In addition to serving the camp during both the summer and winter programs, Michael helps by serving at retreats both at the camp and in parishes all over New England. He's a known staple at GOYA Lock-In's. In his free time, after school and camp, Michael is leaning Byzantine Chant, is an Evzone and loves to Greek Dance!!

Angelika Katsinas

Angelika is the youngest member of our Hogar team, being just 18 years old. She is currently in her senior year of High School at Dedham High, looking forward to soon beginning her college career. Angelika grew up in the St. Nectarios Parish in Roslindale where she was always an active member of the youth groups. Currently, she is serving as the Roslindale GOYA President, a role which she takes very seriously and RARELY misses a meeting! In her free time she enjoys drawing, painting and playing basketball. She also helps out her parents by working at their restaurant in Jamaica Plane. Angelika became interested in mission work a long time ago when, as a youngster, she would listen to the stories of her older sister who was a member of the Metropolis of Boston Mission Mexico Team in 2007, since then Angelika has just been waiting for her chance to serve!

Daphne Papadopoulos

Daphne is a clinical psychologist working in the Boston area. She is a long time and dedicated member of the St. Nicholas parish in Lexington. Growing up in their youth programs she has now become a GOYA advisor as well as Church School Teacher and Greek Dance Instructor. Daphne was selected a missionary along with her fiance Nector whom she will wed in early June just before the trip, and instead of having a traditional honeymoon they have chosen to be missionaries instead. 

Nector Ritzakis

Nector is originally from Salt Lake City UT, where he grew up as an active member in his home parish. He moved to the Boston area to study Mechanical Engineering, a degree which he has both his bachelors and his Masters. Since moving to New England, Nector has been a dedicated member of the St. Nicholas Parish in Lexington, MA. For the past 5 years, he has taught Church School and been a Goya advisor. Currently, in his free time, he is learning Byzantine chant. He is excited to wed his fiance Daphne just before leaving for our mission trip!

 James Scangas

James is one of two lay leaders for our Mission Trip and he is an active member of the St. Vasilios Parish in Peabody, MA. He was a member of the 2007 Metropolis Mission Team that built a house through Project Mexico. James was a long time camper in the MBC Camp program and has been a dedicated staff member for over six years, participating in both our winter and summer programs. Currently, he is serving a one year internship at the camp where he is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the camp and the general day to day operations.

Chrysanthy Tiggas

Chrysanthy is one of two lay leaders for this mission trip and she works for the Metropolis of Boston at the Camp in Contoocook, NH. Chrysanthy is a transplant to the Boston Metropolis coming from Minnesota where her family still lives. She participated in a number of mission trips and mission opportunities when she was growing up through her local home parish, St. Mary's in Minneapolis.