CHI-RHO

PROGRAM SERVICE BOOK

RELIGIOUS AWARD PROGRAM FOR

CUB SCOUTS GIRL SCOUT JUNIORS

OF THE EASTERN ORTHODOX FAITH

www.EOCS.org
 CHI-RHO
RELIGIOUS EMBLEM PROGRAM

Written by:
Fr. Joel McEachen, 1977

Revised by:
The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting

Revision Date:
Fall 2011
 Table of Contents

I. Introduction

A. Mission Statement of the E.O.C.S. .................................... page 1

B. Letter from the E.O.C.S. .................................................... page 2

C. The Chi-Rho Program:

Information and Instructions ............................................. page 3

II. The Chi-Rho Curriculum

A. Part I: About Me ................................................................ page 4

B. Part II: My Home and Community .................................... page 7

C. Part III: My Church ........................................................... page 9

III. Completing the Chi-Rho Program

A. Registration Instructions .................................................... page 12

B. Application/Order Form .................................................... page 13
 MISSION STATEMENT
EASTERN ORTHODOX COMMTTEE ON SCOUTING
FOUNDED IN 1960, UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE STANDING CONFERENCE OF
ORTHODOX BISHOPS OF THE AMERICAS

 Support and conduct the mission of Our Lord and His Church via the Scouting program.
 Recognize the individual youth member as our most important member.
 Provide support, guidance, programs and consultation to Eastern Orthodox Churches that
sponsor Scouting and are partners in the Scouting program.
 Provide support, programs and recognition to the Scouts and Scouters of the Eastern Orthodox
faith whether in units in Eastern Orthodox Churches, or registered in units sponsored by other
institutions, via the: religious youth recognitions, adult recognitions for volunteer Scouters
and Clergy, Retreats, Camp-O-Rees, associated events and activities.
 Create, expand, enhance and project a presence of Eastern Orthodox Scouting in the Boy
Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA.
 The E.O.C.S. exists to complement and supplement the Youth's program and the unit's
program. The E.O.C.S. does not exist to direct or replace a unit's program.
 Encourage the use of the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of the USA as part of the
youth ministry program of a Church and community.
 Develop and extend our Scouting network with our ministry partners.
 The E.O.C.S. is the officially recognized Eastern Orthodox religious committee for the Boy
Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of the USA

Draft of September 2011

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 Fall 1990

Dear Reverend Clergy, Scouts and Scouters,

This Chi-Rho Program Service Book and its companions, the St. George and the Alpha Omega
Program Service Books, are the cornerstones of the religious programs for young Orthodox Christians who are
members of the Scouting programs. The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting (E.O.C.S.) takes particular
pride in presenting this revised version of the Alpha-Omega book for your use.

The E.O.C.S., founded in 1960 and under the auspices of the Standing Conference of Orthodox
Bishops in America, is the officially recognized Orthodox religious committee of the Boy Scouts of America and
the Girl Scouts of the USA. This revision and update was the hard work of volunteer Scouters and spiritual
advisors, including: Ms. Helen Misthos (chair), Rev. Robert Archon, Ms. Demetra Brountzas, Mr. Edward
Korolenko, Rev. Vladimir Lecko, Rev. Joel McEachen, Rev. George Passias, Mr. Mark Stokoe, and Ms. Marge
Vajda. No words can express the gratitude to the original authors of this book: Father McEachen, whose service
to Scouting in the Orthodox Church is legendary; Rev. Alexander Karloutsos; Rev. Charles Sarelis; and Mr.
Demetrios Haralambatos.

The purpose of our medals programs is to give a religious base and framework for our Orthodox youth
members. The E.O.C.S. accepts your comments and suggestions. We believe that your local Orthodox Church
and Scouting make great partners in our Lord's ministry.

In His Service,

Rev. Angelo Gavalas Andrew E.K. Yiannakos

Spiritual Advisor to the Chairman
E.O.C.S. E.O.C.S.

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 Chi-Rho Program:
Information and Instructions
The Emblem

The Chi-Rho emblem is a white Greek cross surmounted by a red Orthodox cross, suspended
from a bar pin bearing the inscription CHI-RHO in English and Greek. These two Greek letters
are the first letters of the name CHRIST in Greek. From very early times, the monogram
CHI-RHO became a symbol for the name of Christ.

Who is eligible?

Any Orthodox Christian boy or girl who is registered as a Cub Scout or Girl Scout Junior may
earn the Chi-Rho emblem. The recipient must be in the fourth or fifth grade and must attend
church, school or other formal religious instruction program. The youth must also be a
communicant member of an Orthodox Christian Church recognized by S.C.O.B.A. Priests are
encouraged to adapt these requirements for use with mentally and/or physically challenged youth
members of these Scouting movements.

Presentation
The Chi-Rho emblem is granted by the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting, so it should be
presented in the church by a priest or bishop. Consult current uniform regulations of the Cub
Scouts or Girl Scout Cadets for the proper location of the medal on the uniform.

Instructions
This booklet is for you. As you read it and answer the questions, you will be learning more about
yourself, your home and community, and your church. Some of the answers may be written in this
booklet; others you will answer by writing in a notebook. Where it asks for a picture, you may use
photographs, pasted pictures, or your own drawings.

There are suggested ideas, activities, and books at the end of some of the questions. These are
noted for your help. Your own ideas and activities are welcome.

At the end of each part there is a space for comments by your parent(s) and by your priest. Any
new ideas or comments can be noted there. The completed part should be signed by you, one of
your parents, and by the priest after having reviewed it with you. When all the parts are
completed, the priest will sign the application/order form on the last page and submit it with the
required fee.

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 THE CHI-RHO CURRICULUM
Part I: About Me

A. My Baptismal name is _____________________________________________________

B. I was born on ____________________________________________________________

C. My baptismal date is ______________________________________________________

D. My Godparents’ names are _________________________________________________

E. I was baptized by Fr. ______________________________________________________

F. Special memories my parents have of that day are:

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

G. Pictures of my baptism:

H. Orthodox Christians celebrate “Name Days."

My "Name Day" is ______________________________________________________,

which is the feast day of Saint _________________________, whom I was named after.

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 I. This is what I know about my Saint: (Or choose a Saint you like.)

Suggested Books:

Book of the Saints by Mary P. Hallick, Light and Life Publishing Co.
Butler's Lives of the Saints Series, Christian Classics, Inc.
Lives of the Saints Series by Constance Tarasar, DRE
Lives of the Saints for Young People by Rev. Leu Puhalo, Synasix Press
Orthodox Saints Series by George Poulous, Holy Cross Orthodox Press
They Walked with God by Lidia Kesich, Metropolitan Council Publishing, Co.

Holy Cross Bookstore (www.HolyCrossBookstore.com)

50 Goddard Ave
Brookline, MA 02445
 800-245-0599
 kcbks@hchc.edu

J. Here is an Icon (or drawing of Icon) of my Saint:

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 COMPLETION PART I

My Signature _____________________________ Date Completed ________________

Comments by Parent or Guardian:___________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Signature of Parent or Guardian ____________________________________________

Comments by Priest: _____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Signature of Priest _____________________________________________________________________________

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 PART II: MY HOME AND COMMUNITY

A. There are ____ people in my family.

B. Picture of my family: (Write their names under each person.)

C. What religious items do you have in your home?

D. How and when do you use them?

E. Write a prayer to say before meals.

F. Write a prayer to say when you get up in the morning.

G. List several ways God shows His love for you.

H. List several ways you show your love for God.

I. List some ways you and your family show your love for each other.

J. Do a project with your whole family. (This may be done with Section "L" below.) Write

about what you did.

K. Pictures of you doing your project.

L. Visit someone who is sick, shut-in, poor, elderly, or lonely. Make him or her a gift, or help
that person with a task.

Other suggested ideas: Help support any one of the many worthy organizations by earning
money, such as:
Jump Rope for the Heart Association http://www.Heart.org/Jump
Multiple Sclerosis Read-a-Thon www.ReadaThon.com
Bowl-athon or Bike-a-thon for Cooley's Anemia www.CooleysAnemia.org

Write a couple of paragraphs about what you did.

M. Pictures of you doing your activity.

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 COMPLETION PART II

My Signature _____________________________ Date Completed ________________

Comments by Parent or Guardian:___________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Signature of Parent or Guardian ____________________________________________

Comments by Priest: _____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Signature of Priest _____________________________________________________________________________

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 PART III: MY CHURCH

The Church is God's house. The Church Family is an extension of our own family. What is the name
of the Church you attend?

A. When you enter your Church building, what do you do? What are some of the things
you see that make your church an Orthodox Church?

B. Pictures of the outside and the inside of your church.

C. Choose a subject in your church to study, and write about it. (Suggested ideas: How are
candles made? What is an icon? How is church bread made? Why do we sing in church?)

Being an Orthodox Christian is much more than just going to church on Sunday morning. Everything we
do has a Christian meaning. God, who created us and the world, knows each one of us, what we need, and
what we are doing. We feel God's creation, the world around us, and the people in it by our senses of
touch, taste, smell, sight and sound.

D. List ways you participate in God's world through your senses at home and in church.
Home Church
1. Touch

2. Taste
3. Smell
4. Sight
5. Sound

E. Food is an important part of our Orthodox life. Different times of the year mean different
foods in our home. List some foods you eat especially during Advent and Great Lent.

F. How do you prepare for a major church holy day, such as Easter, Holiday of the Virgin
Mary, or Christmas?

1. Fasting?
2. Going to Church?
3. Preparing the meal?
4. Helping in other ways?

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 G. Name the four Gospels and tell who wrote them. Draw a picture of the Gospel Book that
the priest uses in our church. Where is it kept? List four of the major feast days celebrated
in your church.

From your priest or choir director, get the words to a hymn that you can learn. Note it here
(or in your notebook), and sing it for your priest.

H. Choose your favorite Bible story. Write it in your own words, and tell the story and its
meaning to your priest.

Suggested books: God is With Us by Sophie Koulomzin, DRE

The Nelson Children's Bible Thomas Nelson Co.

Christian Stewardship: Everything we have is given to us by God. We can serve God in many
ways to show our love and gratitude for these gifts, such as, time - by serving as an altar server;
talent - by singing in the choir.

I. Decide how you can be a steward in helping your church.

(Suggested activities: Ironing the wax off the carpet in the church, cleaning and polishing
the candle stands; cleaning the icons; washing the floors; and as a group activity, making
church bread for a service.)

J. Pictures of your activity:

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 COMPLETION PART III

My Signature _____________________________ Date Completed ________________

Comments by Parent or Guardian:___________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Signature of Parent or Guardian ____________________________________________

Comments by Priest: _____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Signature of Priest _________________________________________________________________

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 Registration Instructions

1. Final Review:

When all three parts are completed, the priest should arrange a meeting between the recipient, the parents or
guardians and himself. This discussion could begin with what it meant to work together as a family on the
Chi-Rho Program.

2. Registration:

At this conference, the Application/Order Form should be filled out and submitted with payment (checks
should be payable to P.R.A.Y.) to the following address:

Programs of Religious Activities with Youth (P.R.A.Y.)

11123 S. Towne Sq Ste B
St. Louis, MO 63123
 (800) 933-7729
 (314) 845-0038
Please allow two to three weeks prior to presentation date. It should be presented in the church by an
appropriate church authority. The Uniform Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of
the USA should be consulted for the proper location of the emblem on the uniform.

The Application/Order form may also be faxed to PRAY. All faxes are considered “rush orders” and will be
assessed $6.00 for the special handling. Faxes that are received by noon Central Standard Time will be
processed and shipped that same day.

3. The Emblem:

The Chi-Rho emblem has been developed by the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting to help young
people of the Orthodox faith to advance in the knowledge and practice of Orthodox Christian religious
living.

Its purpose is to help the child become more aware of God's presence in his or her daily life, especially
through things we do in our home and in our church. The Chi-Rho program encourages close cooperation
between the family and the church by utilizing parents or guardians and the parish priest as counselors.

The presentation of the medal is made only on the authority of the Eastern Orthodox Committee on
Scouting through the local parish priest.

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 APPLICATION / ORDER FORM
A. Candidates Information

Name _________________________________________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________________________________
City _________________________________ State __________________ Zip ______________________

Phone __________________Age _____ Birthdate ____________ Email___________________________

B. Church Information
Church Name __________________________________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________________________________
City ________________________________ State __________________ Zip ______________________

Priest _________________________________________________________________________________
Bishop _____________________________________ of _______________________________________

Diocese/Jurisdiction _____________________________________________________________________
C. Agency Information: Circle One: BSA GSUSA Troop _________________________
Council name __________________________________________________________________________
D. Order Information: Check items desired:

___ Chi-Rho Kit (Medal and Lapel Pin) $14.00

___ Chi-Rho Certificate $ 1.00

Add $0.50 Registration per applicant plus $3.50 shipping per order
Ship to: _______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

E. Certification
This is to certify that _______________________________________ has completed the activities of the
CHI-RHO program and is worthy of the medal. We ask that this application be approved.

Recipient ___________________________________________________ Date ______________________

Parent/Guardian _____________________________________________ Date ______________________

Priest ______________________________________________________ Date ______________________

Unit Leader _________________________________________________ Date ______________________

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 Eastern Orthodox
Religious Growth Programs

The St. George Program

Grades 1, 2, 3

The Chi-Rho Program

Grades 4, 5

The Alpha Omega Program

Grades 6-12

The Prophet Elias Award

Adults

www.EOCS.org

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