By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

HARPERSVILLE – More than 250 parishioners of Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral traveled to Harpersville for a dedication service of a new addition to Camp Vakakes Sept. 9.

Church leadership named the camp, which is located off Alabama 25, after the family who originally donated a piece of Pinson property to the church.

“The property was in Pinson, but undevelopable, unusable, and the church sold that property in 2005,” said church member Steve Leara. “They located this 45-acre piece of property off Highway 25 in Harpersville, and purchased with proceeds from the sale of the original Camp Vakakes.”

The Harpersville property sports a 3-acre lake with houseboat. The dedication service Sept. 9 celebrated the completion of a new outdoor pavilion.

“We use the property for youth events and occasional church functions, as well as Easter service and an annual Easter picnic,” Leara said. “Youth groups use the property for camp fires and cookouts, outdoor activity events and functions.”

Father Paul Costopoulos led liturgy services at the pavilion, according to Leara.

“We then had a brief 15-minute dedication service to bless the pavilion and formally christen it. At which time, approximately 250 people in attendance had a picnic and gathering. Kids played, and adults, for the most part, stayed underneath the shade,” Leara said with a laugh.

The church has plans to build a small chapel and cabins on the property in the future for church retreats and functions.

For more information about Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral, visit Holytrinity-holycross.org.