Being at the summer camp is both a blessing and a profound spiritual experience. Every encounter with the campers fills my heart with light, as their pure and innocent questions remind us of the beauty of a childlike soul, the very spirit our Lord calls us to emulate.

On my visit to camp on Tuesday, July 15, I was deeply moved by the sincerity of the conversations I had with the children. Their questions, simple yet profound, ranged from asking about my age to my calling as a priest, why I chose this path and how long I have walked in it. These moments of curiosity, born from pure hearts, are sacred reminders of the openness and wonder with which we are called to seek God.

One particular exchange brought a special joy to my heart, reflecting the unfiltered innocence of the campers. As I walked from cabin to cabin, I overheard one child ask, “Who is this man?” The reply came, “He is the bishop.” Another child, curious, asked, “What is a bishop?” A thoughtful but amusing answer followed: “The bishop is the one who owns the priests.” Others chimed in, saying, “He is the manager of churches.” Their words, though simple, carried a sense of awe and mystery about the Church and its shepherds, and in them, I saw the seeds of faith being nurtured.

In my remarks to the campers, I shared this heartfelt thought:

“My dear children, here at HyeCamp, you are not just camping — you are walking with God. These sacred grounds are a place where your hearts draw closer to Him, where prayer becomes the breath of your soul, and where the camp family itself becomes a bridge connecting you to God’s love and the faithful of our Diocese. May the Lord bless and protect each of you, and may your days here inspire you to always seek His presence with the same curiosity and joy you have shown me.”

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian

Primate