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Guest Viewpoints

Why Young Greek-Americans Should Go to Ionian Village

September 11, 2024

Ask thousands of Greek-Americans over the years about Ionian Village (IV) – the Greek Orthodox summer camp held near Patras, Greece, for young Hellenes – and they will use phrases like “life-changing” and “the best summer of my life” to describe it.

We can attest to having the same priceless experience, and a whole lot more. Between us three Benis brothers, we’ve been fortunate to go to the camp eight times. That pretty much makes us experts on the matter.

This article will function like a conversation, as if Alexandros, Nick, and I were in a room full of Greek youths who are curious to learn more about IV. There will be parts of the article below where Nick and Alexandros get to talk about their unique experiences in their own voices. For now, though, we’ll introduce those who are unfamiliar with the magic of IV.

From the moment you arrive at IV, you are automatically bonded with your cabin mates as Greek-Americans who care about their culture. Photo: Courtesy of Ionian Village

Arriving at camp is something no camper forgets. It is very otherworldly; the IV campus is an oasis right on the Ionian Sea where, combined with being slightly jet-lagged from your flight, it feels like you are entering a new world where time works a little differently. The chapel is a brilliant, pristine white. Everyone around you is similarly curious and proud of their Greek heritage, and there is almost too much to take in. All the counselors and priests are genuinely thrilled that you have chosen to come.

Regular Orthodox Life sessions are held at Ionian Village, led by the camp’s priests. Photo: Courtesy of Ionian Village

There’s no way around it- for literally thousands of Greek Americans, IV is a life-changing three weeks. There are things of cultural and religious significance you will see there that you simply cannot experience in America.

IV is so renowned by the Greek Diaspora community that there are a number of urban legends about miracles that have happened at the camp that are known and spoken of still today. From here on out, we’ll break into our individual stories about the greatest summers of our lives.

Multiple priests attend camp to advise young Greeks about their spiritual growth and healing. Photo: Courtesy of Ionian Village

Alexandros Benis, 21 (IV ’18, ’19):

I was the only Greek kid at my high school. Sure, I went to church most Sundays growing up, but I didn’t have many friends my age there. That’s why going to IV with 250 other kids just like me was such a life-changing experience. It wouldn’t be exaggerating to say it was a true spiritual awakening. In fact, I often tell people my life is defined by my experiences there. I think of it as my life before I went to IV, and my life after I went to IV.

Going to camp in Greece really made me wake up to my Greek identity. Although I always naturally gravitated to my heritage thanks to my upbringing, it was really shaken awake by going to IV. I was amazed by finally being able to “see my faith” for the first time: venerating the relics of incorrupt Saints, witnessing miracles, and seeing places of worship from the smallest village churches to the greatest Greek Cathedrals. You really get to see Orthodoxy in all of its forms.

At the entrance to Saint Gerasimos’ cave in Kefalonia, Greece. Photo: Courtesy of Ionian Village

On top of that, you get to do it all with people who you can relate to on a very deep level. That was important for me, as someone who lived far away from church in a city without a lot of Greek people. I didn’t grow up as surrounded by the Greek community as someone from Boston, New York or Chicago might have been.

Going to IV for the first time… gosh, I was so into it. I fell in love with it. I got used to going to church twice a day, every day. I got used to praying before meals. And in general, I was amazed by how everyone was on board with it. My fellow campers were really, really happy to be there.

At Agios Nektarios in Aegina, it’s believed that you can hear knocking and scratching from within the empty tomb. Photo: Courtesy of Ionian Village

IV also did wonders for my permanent spiritual life. I had never realized the importance of regular church attendance before – but at IV, we got to attend Orthros and Vespers every day. We held a Paraklesis service each Wednesday. And thanks to IV, I now feel comfortable talking to priests and understanding the manners and expectations of going to a monastery.

All of this lit a fire inside me that made me want to learn more, and after the “IV high” wore off and I went back to the United States, I ended up dedicating a lot of my energy and personal time towards the study of theology and church history.

At IV Next, you have more meals and activities away from the camp premises than at the high-school camp. Pictured are a few friends and myself enjoying our last night before Athens at a restaurant near camp. Photo: Courtesy of Ionian Village

I think I can speak for so many thousands of Greek-Americans who have gone when I say that it was one of the best experiences of my life, and it was certainly the most transformative experience of my life. IV marked a starkly positive turning point for me, and I am very happy to say that I went there and still treasure the memories I made to this day.

Chris Benis, at left, singing ‘Time of Your Life’ at IV Next 2021. Photo: Courtesy of Ionian Village

Chris Benis, 23 (IV ’18, IV Next ’21):

I’ve been lucky enough to attend Ionian Village twice in my lifetime, and both times I witnessed a miracle happen right before my eyes.

The first time was during the IV 2018 Session II, while we were on a day trip visiting Saint Gerasimos’ cave. According to the legend, Saint Gerasimos spent two decades living in a small cave hermitage under a monastery, which IV campers can access on their day trip to Kefalonia by descending a 10-foot-long ladder under counselor supervision. The cave is divided into two “rooms” by a narrow hole, which can’t be more than two feet wide.

It’s said that those of Orthodox faith can access the interior chamber by praying as they enter the passageway, no matter their physical size. When I went down to the cave at age 16, I was accompanied by a fellow camper who, at the time, was of immense proportions. He told my entire cabin that he was very nervous about being embarrassed if he did not fit through the hole.

Opportunities to Greek dance are frequent throughout camp, and for those who did not grow up dancing, IV will teach you a few simple dances. Photo: Courtesy of Ionian Village

Up until that day, I had not witnessed a miracle firsthand in my life. Next to my fellow camper in that tiny cave, however, I immediately began to feel nervous for him- there was no way he could physically fit through its tight frame.

Still, this camper prayed and prayed hard. One moment he was hunched at the foot of the passageway, silently praying to himself, and the next moment I watched as the cave walls seemed to open up for him to allow passage. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

The second miracle I witnessed came during IV Next in 2021 several years later, the night before the camp was to visit Saint Dionysius’ incorrupt body on Zakynthos, who happens to be the Patron Saint of IV. During our evening prayers that night, I advised my cabin mates to say a special prayer to Saint Dionysius, since we would be visiting him the next morning.

That night, as my cabin mates were washing their clothes “village style” by hand, we felt the air around us change. We heard faint drums sounding overhead, and three of my fellow campers witnessed the image of Saint Dionysius walking on a grass lawn before them, in the direction of the girl’s cabins.

If you grew up Greek dancing at a high level, IV will give you a great platform to show off your zeibekiko tricks. Photo: Courtesy of Ionian Village

The next morning, several girls reported seeing Saint Dionysius in their dreams or while they were still awake, at the same exact time – around 1 AM. Word quickly spread as we were on the ferry to Zakynthos about everyone’s connected experience, and that made our veneration of Saint Dionysius’ body and relics even more special.

Nick Benis, 20 (IV ’18, ’19, ’22, IV Next ’24):

To address the elephant in the room, I did go to IV four times. Yet, I am not a paid ambassador for the camp. In fact, I wasn’t entirely thrilled to attend the first time.

The year was 2018, and my parents decided to send me to Ionian Village along with my older brothers because it marked the first year we were all able to go together. I was 14 years old. You might imagine the level of apprehension I had, being told I was supposed to spend three weeks in a foreign country with hundreds of strangers.

Then a funny thing happened. The first person I met on the bus ride to camp just happened to be from the same island my family was from, and we became friends immediately. It made me realize that although I was being sent to a new place with all new people, there were some things I had in common with every single person there.

One of the most important things I learned about IV is that you truly get out what you put in. After 2018, I made the personal decision to attend camp again and again, and each time that I went, I became more invested in “buying in” to the full experience.

In 2019, I pleaded with my parents to let me go again rather than being lovingly forced to. That year I went out of my way to meet friends at camp, and I found that my fellow Greek youths were extremely friendly and happy to be approached right off the bat. I also got to know Greeks two or three years older than me who turned out to be great role models for living out Greek Orthodox spiritual traditions.

The third and final time I went to IV as a high school camper was the summer before college. I hadn’t been to IV in a few years thanks to the pandemic and the two fantastic summers I had already experienced there, but as soon as travel became a possibility again, I realized that I had a good reason to go back.

Contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t because I wanted to find my Greek wife (maybe a little bit). No, I wanted to go and try to be a mentor to some of the younger guys at camp, setting a positive example and demonstrating that it was indeed possible to care deeply about your heritage and faith while still being cool.

Ionian Village is an experience that unites us with thousands of Greek-Americans worldwide. Left to right: Nick Benis, Chris Benis, and Alexandros Benis in 2018. Photo: Courtesy of Ionian Village

 

And now, looking back on a pretty great IV career, I have so many amazing memories to treasure. Here are but a few out-of-context ones:

The IV STADS, watering giraffes, Pete the Christmas tree, Pete getting a haircut in the cabin, Pete holding the sun (Pete was funny), the Benis Bershka Coat, popped collars, ZAKynthos, disposing of a banana in record time, pictures with a side of caprice, protein and beer, my favorite bench, Evan and his fruit, Mythos vs. Fix, picky eaters, Jackie Robinson, Jordan vs. Lebron, and mouths to feed all come to mind.

You probably didn’t understand any of that. That’s because they’re my memories – little anecdotes I can recollect from some of the best weeks of my life. My advice? Go to Ionian Village, and you can make a lifetime of memories of your own.

Simply put, IV is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Greek-Americans to physically “see” their culture and religion in action. Parents, if you wish to enhance your child’s understanding of their heritage, sending them to Ionian Village will deliver an unforgettable and deeply impactful education. And kids, if you are questioning or curious about what your faith and culture are all about, Ionian Village is where you can answer those questions surrounded by hundreds of people just like you, and spiritual leaders who volunteered to be there by your side every step of the way.

More information about Ionian Village is available online: https://www.ionianvillage.org/

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