EOCS - Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting

1st conference of DESMOS 7,8 June 1997 - 29 Years of Creating Stronger Links: Celebrating DESMOS!
Today is another milestone in the history of DESMOS! We are proud to celebrate the 29th Anniversary of DESMOS - International Link of Orthodox Christian Scouts!

For nearly three decades, DESMOS (which comes from the Greek word "Δεσμός", meaning link or bond) has served as a powerful bridge connecting the global Scout movement with the spiritual heritage of the Orthodox Christian faith.

DESMOS was officially "born" during the 1st (Constituent) Conference, 7-8 June 1997 at the historic and holy site of the Penteli Monastery in Athens, Greece. Its creation was inspired by a shared vision: to help young people discover the true depth of their "Duty to God" and to uphold Robert Baden-Powell’s original spiritual vision for the Scouting movement. With the blessing of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, a permanent global platform for Orthodox Scouts was established.

DESMOS is an autonomous, international body composed of 25 National Scout Organizations (NSOs) that are members of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). We bring together thousands of Orthodox Christian scouts from across continents to foster intercultural tolerance, deep cooperation, and mutual understanding.

Over the past 29 years, DESMOS has actively enriched global Scouting through unique programs and activities:
- Spiritual Leadership Trainings: Organizing influential events like the Orthodox Leaders’ Training on Spiritual Dimension.
- Summer Camps: Bringing young people together for unforgettable intercultural experiences, such as an Anniversary Camp in Cyprus.
- Global Interreligious Dialogue: Actively participating in the World Scout Jamborees and World Scout Moots with workshops, round tables and other activities, hosting interreligious ceremonies, and leading panels on building bridges for Peace, environment and active citizens.
- Member of World Scout Interreligious Forum (together with other faith scout groups) in close cooperation with KAICIID

We are proud that DESMOS holds Official Consultative Status with the World Scout Committee (WOSM). Alongside other major faith-based Scout organizations, DESMOS represents the spiritual dimension of Orthodoxy on the highest level. We are a key player in the World Scout Inter-religious Forum (WSIF), proving that faith and Scouting walk hand-in-hand to build active global citizens.

Thank you to every Scout, Leader, Volunteer, and Church partner (Patriarchs, Archbishops, Priests, Monks and Nuns) who has been a part of this 29-year journey. Together, we continue to strengthen the spiritual dimension of Scouting, shape a better world and being ready for life.

Happy 29th Anniversary, DESMOS! Here’s to many more years of scouting, faith, and brotherhood

PATRIARCHAL ENCYCLICAL ON THE OCCASION OF HOLY PASCHA (2026)

https://ec-patr.org/en/08/04/12/49/patriarchal-encyclical-on-the-occasion-of-holy-pascha-2026-duplicate-1/

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photo: Nicholas Papachristou