From December 26 to 30, 2023, our Cathedral High School Youth Group, chaperoned by Fr. Nick, Bodie Plecas and Andrea Savic Fake spent the week touring Saint Vladimir's Seminary and the sites of New York City.  This triennial trip is planned and sponsored by our Saint Steven's Religious Cultural Association.

This truly unique tradition continued for a new generation of St. Steven’s Cathedral high school students.  On December 26, 2023, the students and chaperons boarded a flight to Newark Airport to experience what past participants have described as one of their greatest memories!

December 27, was the first full day in New York and it included an extensive tour Downtown Manhatten and Battery Park.  The first stop was the Saint Nicholas Orthodox Shrine where they received a private tour. 

From there took a boat cruise that included stops at Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty up close, and Ellis Island where some of the students found the names of their ancestors who came to America through this historical site. When the boat returned to shore, the group walked u to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

The next day, December 28, started with a presentation by theological students of Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary, at the seminary campus in Scardsale, New York. Everyone had lunch with the students.  After lunch, during the tour, our youth group sang two hymns, "Holy God" and "Praise the Lord" in the seminary chapel, a special treat for everyone.  After a brief rest, they visited the famous Stew Leonard’s food store for a tour and complementary dinner! Stew Leonard Jr. is the son-in-law of Cathedral members Paul and the late +Barbara Kral (daughter Kim) and looks forward to hosting our students on every trip!

On December 29, the group toured all of Midtown Manhatten, including Time's Square, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Saint Sava Cathedral, Macy's the Empire State Building and the all sites of 5th Avenue!  The evening included a Broadway show: "Back to the Future," which was enjoyed by all!

On December 30, the group enjoyed ice skating and a special lunch before heading to the airport for the return trip to Los Angeles.  The plane arrived a 1/2 hour ahead of schedule – the perfect end to yet another field trip that provided great memories for its participants!