News, Info

DESMOS COMMITTEE MEETING IN OHRID, April 8-9, 2016.

The regular annual DESMOS Committee Meeting, hosted by the Scout Association of Macedonia, will be held in the Scout Center in Ohrid, April 8-9, 2016.

DESMOS Committee members are looking forward to having a productive meeting in this lovely town at the shores of the Lake Ohrid.

DESMOS Committee Meeting, Beirut/Jounieh, Lebanon, February 27-28, 2015.

Lebanese association Scout et Guide National Orthodoxe hosted the annual DESMOS Committee Meeting, in Jounieh, near Beirut. The event was excellently organized and the Meeting was fruitful.
(Find out more)

DESMOS presence at the 40th WSC

The International Link of Orthodox Christian Scouts 'DESMOS', as the faith organization in Scouting with Consultative Status with WOSM, participated in the capacity of special guest at the 40th World Scout Conference held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, August 11-15, 2014.
(Find out more)

THE 7TH DESMOS CONFERENCE LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA, AUGUST 10, 2014.

The 7TH DESMOS Conference took place on August 10, 2014, at the Exhibition and Convention Center in Ljubljana, Republic of Slovenia.
The Conference elected the new Executive Committee for the period 2015-2017, and adopted amendments to DESMOS Constitution.
(Find out more)

THE 7TH DESMOS CONFERENCE LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA, AUGUST 10, 2014.

The 7th DESMOS Conference will be held on August 10, at 17h, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, at Gospodarsko razstavišče – Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre, Meeting Room: "Povodni Mož", Dunajska cesta 18.
(PDF Documents)
(MS Word Documents)

DESMOS IN 14TH WORLD SCOUT MOOT IN CANADA

The 14th World Scout MOOT took place in CANADA, August 8-18, 2013, in AWACAMENJ MINO Scout camp There were 2500 participants of the age18-25, from 83 countries. Faith and Beliefs was Part of the Program 2-3-1-3-2. DESMOS was present at FaB Zone with: Icon Exhibition, Promotional material and a Workshop. The Workshop entitled “The Image of GOD in Nature” was very successful, and it included:

  • Reading from the Holy Gospels, Old and New Testament.
  • Participants’ contribution with photos to the corresponding title and readings.
(Watch the Video)

DESMOS COMMITTEE MEETING - LARNACA, CYPRUS, FEBRUARY 14-17, 2013.

 
The annual DESMOS Committee Meeting was held in Larnaca, Cyprus, February 14-17, 2013.
The working part of the Meeting took part in the premises of Onissilos Hotel, in Larnaca.
The host NSO, the Cyprus Scouts Association, celebrates this year the great anniversary, the Centenary of Scouting in Cyprus.
(More)

The 3rd Ecumenical Encounter

Following the previous Ecumenical Events held in Aylesford, UK (2008) and Athens (2010), the International Catholic Conference of Scouting (ICCS) hosted the 3rd Ecumenical Encounter in Assisi, Italy, on October 18th to 21st, 2012.

Participants, representatives of faith organizations in Scouting belonging to different Christian confessions, met and discussed the reality and the challenges of Christian communities in the Scout Movement, around the central Theme:
"LORD, MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT OF YOUR PEACE"
(More)

The Meeting of the World Scout Inter-Religious Forum

A regular WSIF annual meeting was held in the premises of the World Scout Bureau – Central Office – in Geneva, Switzerland, on September 28 and 29, 2012.
DESMOS Vice-President, Vassilis Birtsas, took part at the Meeting.
(More)

DESMOS COMMITTEE MEETING IN KYIV, UKRAINE

The Executive Committee of The International Link of Orthodox Christian Scouts DESMOS had its regular annual Meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, March 22-25, 2012.

The National Organization of Scouts of Ukraine (NOSU) hosted the Meeting and provided excellent conditions for work of The Committee.

Besides the fruitful Meeting, the participants had the opportunity to get acquainted with Kyiv, the city of numerous wonderful churches and monasteries, the city of beautiful architecture, important industrial, scientific, educational and cultural centre of Eastern Europe, home to many high-tech industries, higher education institutions and world-famous historical landmarks. The Committee Meeting was held in the Holy Dormition of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra which is the sanctuary of Orthodox world. (find out more)

DESMOS WAS AWARDED THE RECOGNITION BY THE SCOUT ORGANIZATION OF SERBIA

On the occasion of the Centenary of Scouting in Serbia, The Scout Organization of Serbia awarded the Recognition to the International Link of Orthodox Christian Scouts, for extraordinary achievements and contribution of importance for the NSO in Serbia. At the official ceremony, held in Belgrade on December 3, 2011, DESMOS Secretary General received from the President of the Scout Organization of Serbia the "Golden Scout Emblem with Wreath"

(More)

NEW DESMOS MEMBER!

National Organization of Scouts of Ukraine
www.scouting.org.ua
joined
The International Link
of Orthodox Christian Scouts

DESMOS WARMLY WELCOMES
THE NEW MEMBER - NOSU

DESMOS AT THE 22ND WORLD SCOUT JAMBOREE IN SWEDEN

DESMOS was represented within the Faith and Belief Zone at the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden, which took place in Rinkaby, Kristianstadt, in the period July 27-August 7, 2011.

His All Holiness, BARTHOLOMEW, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch,  sent the message on the occasion of this great world scout event (More).

Our Jamboree Team did its best in order to present our Link, its Mission, Vision and objectives, as well as to offer children the opportunity to enrich their knowledge on Spirituality by visiting the Exhibition on Orthodox Iconography, and by taking part in DESMOS Workshop. 

The Orthodox Christian scouts participating at the World Scout Jamboree had the opportunity to celebrate the Orthodox Divine Liturgy, which was held on August 4, 2011.(More)

THE INTERNATIONAL LINK OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN SCOUTS DESMOS THANKS ALL JAMBOREE PARTICIPANTS WHO VISITED DESMOS TENT AT FAITH AND BELIEF ZONE.

 

The 6th DESMOS Conference, Belgrade, April 29-30, 2011

The 6th DESMOS Conference took part in Belgrade, Serbia, on April 29-30, 2011.

The Conference was a successful event.

It was attended by 20 delegates from 11 countries.

Conference Documents

Conference Minutes

DESMOS Conference Fact

The 2nd Ecumenical Encounter, Athens, Greece, October 15-16, 2010

After the 1st Ecumenical Encounter, successfully organized by ICCS in Canterbury, England, in March 2008, The 2nd Ecumenical Encounter was a natural follow up expressing the need to continue the dialogue and joint efforts towards enhancing the spiritual dimension in Scouting.
The event was very successful. It gathered the committed people from The International Link of Orthodox Christian Scouts DESMOS and The International Catholic Conference of Scouting ICCS, who discussed over two days the important topics of spirituality in Scouting.

The objectives of the Encounter were:

  • To encourage the continuous dialogue on religiosity and spirituality in Scouting
  • To discuss the tools and clarify what is to be taken into account when presenting the Spiritual Dimension in Scouting to the Scouts
  • To assist Scout Associations members of Christian faith Scout Organizations in launching the process of improving Spiritual Dimension in their programmes
  • To collect the examples of good practice in different countries and Associations
  • To recognize what support Christian faith scout associations’ need in order to successfully implement Spiritual Dimension in Scouting

(More)

DESMOS Committee Meeting, Athens, Greece, October 14-15, 2010

DESMOS Committee meeting was held in the holy environment of the Inter-Orthodox Centre of the Orthodox Church of Greece – Monastery Penteli, which is very important for the history of DESMOS, as the place where our Link had its Founding Assembly. The Committee Meeting was held with the blessing of His All Holiness The Ecumenical Patriarch, and with a significant support of Soma Hellinon Proskopon – Scouts of Greece. DESMOS Committee expresses gratitude to His All Holiness The Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartolomew I, to Professor Bezgos, to The Penteli Inter-Orthodox Center of The Orthodox Church of Greece and to Soma Hellinon Proskopon - the Scouts of Greece, for excellent organization of DESMOS Committee meeting, for warm hospitality and wonderful time in Athens.(More)

DESMOS OFFICIALS VISITED LEBANON AS GUESTS OF SCOUT NATIONAL ORTHODOX (S.N.O)

Upon the invitation of DESMOS Committee member, Georges Abboud, President of the association Scout National Orthodox (S.N.O), DESMOS officials visited Lebanon the last weekend in April 2010.
During the three-day visit, DESMOS President Christos Papageorgiou and DESMOS Secretary General Marko Petrovic were offered a rich and interesting programme and the opportunity to find out more about S.N.O, which is a founding member of The International Link of Orthodox Christian Scouts DESMOS.
Besides visits to S.N.O scout groups and meeting with the World Scout Committee member Georges El Ghorayeb and with President of the Lebanese Scout Federation and his associates, the programme comprised the meetings of DESMOS representatives with local Church officials, as well as a number of social events, but also sight-seeing of certain famous Lebanese tourist spots.
DESMOS President and Secretary General express gratitude to S.N.O for excellently organized, fruitful visit.(More)

UGANDA – NEW DESMOS MEMBER-COUNTRY

Since March 25, 2010, DESMOS family has one more member. After the 3rd World Scout Inter-religious Symposium, which took place in Uganda, this African country joined The International Link of Orthodox Christian Scouts DESMOS.
The contact person - liason of Uganda Orthodox Scouts with DESMOS - is Iga James Dickson.
DESMOS welcomes the Orthodox scouts of Uganda, looking forward to witnessing better Scouting for more young people and development of this association.

3rd World Scout Interreligious Symposium - Kampala, Uganda, 21st to 25th October 2009

The 3rd World Scout Inter-religious Symposium (WSIS) was held from 21st to 25th October 2009 in Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda. This event was organised by the World Scout Inter-religious Forum (WSIF), an informal network of religious groups/organisations in Scouting and was jointly hosted by International Union of Muslim Scouts (IUMS) and The Uganda Scouts Association.

DESMOS was represented by Christos Papageorgiou, Desmos President and Vassilis Birtsas, Desmos PR and Communications Commissioner.

DESMOS President had the presentation at the Symposium. To find out more about the event, go to INTERNATIONAL EVENTS)

ORTHODOX LEADERS’ TRAINING ON SPIRITUAL DIMENSION IN SCOUTING HELD IN SOKO GRAD, SERBIA, OCTOBER 1-4, 2009

As an expression of real need to offer to Orthodox scout leaders in DESMOS member-countries in the Balkans the opportunity to have a training on spiritual dimension in Scouting, DESMOS organized the event in the Monastery "Свети Николај Српски", in Soko Grad, in Western Serbia.

His Excellency, Episcope Lavrentije of the Serbian Orthodox Church – Eparchy of Šabac gave His Blessing to the Scout Organization of Serbia to organize the Training in the premises of the Monastery "Свети Николај Српски", in Soko Grad, and Father Zoran Ristivojeviæ and the civil staff of the Monastery were excellent hosts, offering very good conditions for work. The event was financially supported by the Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Serbia, and partially sponsored by the Public Enterprise "Serbian Railways". To find out more about the event, go to ACTIVITIES

DESMOS' CONSULTATIVE STATUS WITH WOSM RENEWED

The World Scout Committee brought the decision on renewal of the consultative status for a number of faith organizations in Scouting, including DESMOS
WOSM Circular No. 13, June 2009:
Organizations with Consultative Status/WSC liaison roles
The WSC renewed for the current triennium the consultative status granted to the International Catholic Conference of Scouting (ICCS), the International Link of Orthodox Christian Scouts (DESMOS), the International Union of Muslim Scouts (IUMS), the International Scout and Guide Fellowship (ISGF) and the World Scout Parliamentary Union (WSPU). The same consultative status was granted for the first time to the Council of Protestants in Guiding and Scouting (CPGS), the International Forum of Jewish Scouts (IFJS) and the World Buddhist Scout Brotherhood (WBSB).
(More)

THE WEB SITE OF THE ORTHODOX SCOUT ASSOCIATION OF ISRAEL



The Orthodox Scout Association of Israel has established the web site.

Visit the web address: www.scout-orthodox.org and find out more about this association and their activities.



RUSSIAN FEDERATION JOINS DESMOS

Russian Association of Scouts / Navigators (RAS/N), NSO WOSM member, decided to join The International Link of Orthodox Christian Scouts „DESMOS“.

After the meeting that DESMOS President and DESMOS Secretary General had in the Republic of Korea with RAS/N delegation to the World Scout Conference, headed by President Anatoliy Ermolin, the contacts continued and The Link is now welcoming the new member.(More)

 

DESMOS COMMITTEE MEETING February 20-22, 2009 Monastery TISMANA Romania

 
DESMOS Committee meeting 2009 took place in Romania, in the period February 20-22. It was supported by the Romanian National Scout Association “Cercetasii Romaniei” and hosted by the Romanian Orthodox Church. The venue of the meeting was The Holy Monastery of Tismana. Nine countries were represented and the Meeting was very successful.(More)

Desmos at the 38th World Scout Conference






Desmos representatives, Christos Papageorgiou, President, and Marko Petrovic, Secretary General, took part at the 38th World Scout Conference in Korea, in the capacity of special guests.(More)




The 5th Desmos Conference






One day before the opening of the 38th World Scout Conference in Korea, Desmos had its 5th Conference, in the premises of the International Convention Centre, on Jeju Island,Republic of Korea. (More)




DESMOS DELEGATION RECEIVED IN THE GREEK ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM BY HIS BEATITUDE THE PATRIARCH THEOPHILUS III





On February 25, 2008, His Beatitude The Patriarch of Jerusalem welcomed DESMOS representatives at the Patriarchate premises and expressed His pleasure regarding the successful DESMOS Committee meeting in Madaba, Jordan, which he warmly supported (More)




THE DESMOS COMMITTEE MEETING IN 2008 – IN JORDAN

His Beatitude The Patriarch Theophilus III of Jerusalem has agreed that the Desmos Committee meeting in 2008 be hosted by the St George’s Orthodox Church in the town of Madaba, in Jordan (More). Archimandrite Innokentios welcomed the Desmos Committee members and guests.
The Meeting was held in the St. George’s Church premises, in Pilgrims’ House, in the period February 21 – 24, 2008. More

Message of His All Holiness The Patriarch of Constantinople and New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomeos I on the occasion of the 21st World Scout Jamboree

Beloved Children,

During these few days in which you are gathered together from all over the world, being united by certain common principles and ideals, my thoughts are with you as the thoughts of a father are always with his children. More


DESMOS at the 21st World Scout Jamboree, July 27th - August 8th, 2007


HM The King of Sweden visiting Desmos tent

During the 21st World Scout Jamboree, DESMOS had an important role and significant participation in the Jamboree programme, in Faith & Beliefs Zone, with the Workshop organized with the idea to enable young people find out more about Orthodoxy and about the International Link of Orthodox Christian Scouts. The Fait & Beliefs Zone had centrally situated location on the Jamboree site, with specially reserved space for all main faiths and religions. DESMOS prepared in its tent the exhibition - display of icons, and the workshop of Orthodox iconography. The outside of the tent was decorated with a representation of a Byzantine church in the façade and inside the tent there was the exhibition of “Dodekaorton”, twelve main celebrations of the Church giving information on our faith in four languages. The participants of the Workshop could choose to paint with acrylic colors St. George (the Patron of Scouting), Virgin Mary or the Holy Cross, on wooden plates containing the outline design. The workshop was open from 9:00 to 17:00 with a midday break. There were eight DESMOS members from Greece, Serbia, Lebanon and Palestine, that helped organizing and smooth running of the workshop. We could facilitate 70 persons at the same time (scouts, adult leaders, IST members, day visitors). The Workshop visitors were not only Christians but people of different religions from all over the world. They could spend some time in the Desmos tent, paint their icon, which they could take with them as the souvenir, and take information concerning Orthodoxy, as well as Desmos info leaflet. During rush hours, due to increased interest for participation in the Workshop, there were even people painting outside of the tent or waiting for a free table and chair. The total number of Scouts passed through the Workshop is estimated to over 3000.


DESMOS also organized two Holy Liturgies during the Jamboree. The first one took place in DESMOS tent, on Sunday 29th of July, with Fr. Kyrillos, Archimandrite in the nearby Monastery of St. John the Baptist, in Essex, and a chorus of Nuns. The second one was on the Sunrise Day (1st of August) with HE Gregory the Archbishop of Thyatira and Great Britain. More than 650 Scouts from 21 different countries attended the Holy Liturgy. At the end, the President of DESMOS read the message from HAH the Patriarch of Constantinople Barthlomeos addressed to the participants of the Jamboree. Archbishop was offered a commemorative present from DESMOS and a silkscreen reproduction of “Scout” painting of I. Tsarouhis (famous Greek painter) on behalf of Scouts of Greece.
Part of the celebrations on the Scouting Sunrise, on 1st of August in the main arena, included wishes and prays from different faiths and beliefs. Ten Serbian Orthodox Scouts, representing DESMOS focused their wishes on peace and environment preservation.
DESMOS promoted not only Scouting but also Christian Orthodox Faith with the leaflets, pins, stickers, and calendars. The Workshop facilitators gave interviews to the Jamboree Radio and various mass media.
Among the distinguished personalities that visited DESMOS tent were: HM The King of Sweden & Honorable President of The World Scout Foundation, Carl XVI Gustaf, HE Gregory the Archbishop of Thyatira and Great Britain, the Bishop of Sinope Athenagoras (Belgium), Secretary General of WOSM Dr. Eduardo Missoni, World Scout Committee Members, European Scout Committee Members, Heads of Contingents of many countries.
Many thanks to DESMOS members and IST members who helped running of the Workshop, namely: Jamboree IST members: Tom Peachey (United Kingdom) and Vladislav Tesarik ‘Brouk’ (Czech Republic) and DESMOS members: Vida Qamar (Palestine), Fouad Abboud (Lebanon), Zoran Petrovic and Marko Petrovic (Serbia), Theodore Katrougalos, Vassilis Birtsas, Maria Papageorgiou and Christos Papageorgiou (Greece). Many thanks, as well, to the ‘Friends of DESMOS’ in Athens, Scouts of Greece (SHP) and above all to The Ecumenical Patriarchate for the constant support.

2nd ORTHODOX YOUTH CONFERENCE
“MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH – CITIZENS OF THE WORLD”
Istanbul, 11-16 July 2007


The Ecumenical Patriarchate, under the auspices and blessing of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, organized in the City, from the 11th until the 16th of July, the 2nd Orthodox Youth Conference, with the theme: “Members of the Church - Citizens of the World.”
Approximately 900 young men and women participated in this Conference from all the Eparchies of the Ecumenical Patriarchate throughout the world, as well as from sister Orthodox Churches, Monastic Communities, other Christian Churches and Confessions, Orthodox Theological Schools and Academies, Institutes and Seminars, International Church Organizations and International Youth Associations, Cultural Foundations and local Christian Churches.
DESMOS Representative at the Conference was Maria Vaxevanopoulou, Scouts of Greece. Report, Conclusions

DESMOS COMMITTEE MEETING / CYPRUS

The DESMOS Committee meeting will be held in Cyprus, in the Educational Training Scout Centre KORNOS, February 2 – 4, 2007. DESMOS expresses gratitude to the Cyprus Scouts Association for hosting the Meeting.

WSIF, London, November 16-19, 2006

The World Scout Inter-religious Forum (WSIF) was organized in London, November 16-19, 2006. On behalf of the International Link of Orthodox Christian Scouts, DESMOS President Christos Papageorgiou took part at the Forum. The Forum discussed the actual issues of the faith and beliefs zone, development related to the activities of the Spiritual Development Task Team, Action Plan … More

THE INTERNATIONAL FORUM OF THE JEWISH SCOUTS

DESMOS was cordially invited to take part at the official inauguration of THE INTERNATIONAL FORUM OF THE JEWISH SCOUTS (IFJS), that took place on November 2, 2006, at Mishkenot Sha'ananim in Jerusalem.
Inviting DESMOS to be present at the IFJS official inauguration, Frederic Cherbite said that “Desmos was a source of inspiration to build the International Forum of Jewish Scouts”.

The Invitation for the IFJS official inauguration was sent by :

Franck Chekroun, Chairman, Éclaireuses & Éclaireurs Israélites de France (EEIF);
Gideon Tilman, Chairman, The Hebrew Scouts Movement (Israel);
Jay Lenrow, Chairman, National Jewish Committee on Scouting of The Boy Scouts of America;

and it took part in the presence of:

the Minister of Education Mrs Yuli Tamir,
the Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel Mr Zeev Bielski,
the Chairman of the European Jewish Congress Mr Pierre Besnainou,
a delegate of the World Organization of the Scout Movement

NEW BISHOP OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ORDAINED - BISHOP IRINEJ (DOBRIJEVIC) OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

ON THE OCCASION OF CONSECRATION OF IRINEJ OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND FOR THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, DESMOS SECRETARY GENERAL WAS INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THIS IMPORTANT SPIRITUAL EVENT, ON JULY 15, 2006, IN THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF HOLY ARCHANGEL MICHAEL IN BELGRADE. ON BEHALF OF HIS HOLINESS THE SERBIAN PATRIARCH THE INSIGNIA OF THE EPISCOPAL OFFICE – THE OMOPHORA, PANAGIA, MITRE AND STAFF – WERE PRESENTED TO THE NEWLY ELECTED AND VESTED BISHOP IRINEJ BY METROPOLITAN AMFILOHIJE WHO ON THIS OCCASION SAID: “GOD HAS GIVEN YOU THE HONOR OF SERVICE ON THE CONTINENT OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. THE CHURCH SENDS YOU AS THE LORD ONCE SENT HIS STUDENTS TO PREACH, TO GATHER THE PEOPLE OF GOD, TO ENLIGHTEN THEM AND TO CONSECRATE THEM WITH THE HOLINESS YOU HAVE RECEIVED TODAY WITH WHICH GOD HAS HONORED YOU.” More

WOSM CIRCULAR Nş 2/2006 - Meeting of the World Scout Committee, Geneva, Switzerland, November 2005


The WSC appointed the following World Scout Committee members as liaison persons with external bodies: Consultative status with WOSM was renewed for the coming triennium to the following organizations: It was noted that the WSC's guidelines on consultative status indicate that a period of at least three years is required to fulfill the requirements before the status may be granted. The WSC decided therefore not to grant consultative status to the World Buddhist Scout Brotherhood (WBSB), pending receipt of more information on their activities and cooperation with WOSM.