YOUNGSTOWN — The ongoing health pandemic likely will add a deeper layer of stress to many people’s lives this holiday season, but Thomas Lydic said he was happy to light a small candle he hopes will help some of them offset a bit of anxiety.

“It’s very honoring,” Thomas, 12, a member of Youngstown-based Boy Scout Troop 9022, said. “I’m always glad to do this every year. I’m happy to help people and give them hope.”

Also proud to be part of such an effort was Thomas’ younger brother, Michael Lydic, 9, a member of Cub Scout Pack 9022.

Thomas and Michael were two of four Scouts from St. Christine Church who made such intentions known during a small outdoor ceremony Monday at JMJ Spiritual Connection, 3434 Canfield Road, to usher in the Peace Light from Bethlehem.

The other two participants were brothers Roan Thomas, 14, and Ben Papa, 8, of Troop 9022 and Pack 9022, respectively.

The Peace Light has burned continuously for more than 1,000 years and originated from the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem and is meant to promote worldwide peace, harmony and unity among all people regardless of religion, race and ethnicity.

Since the 1980s, the International Scouting movement that includes Boy and Girl Scouts have distributed the light to promote global peace and harmony throughout the world.

PEACE LIGHT HOSTS

The flame that was lit during the 15-minute ceremony will be on display at JMJ Spiritual Connection through at least Dec. 24, noted Dorajean Havrilla, a co-owner of the 25-year-old family-run business.

“People who come can either bring a candle or buy a candle and take it home to use for the holidays,” said Havrilla, adding that the business’s hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday except holidays.

JMJ Spiritual Connection has hosted the Peace Light for about five or six years, she said.

In addition, St. Christine Church will host the light, which was transferred there today, noted Mike Kupec, the Peace Light coordinator for Mahoning and Trumbull counties.

Normally, the flame’s journey takes it from one of the Grotto’s oil lamps in Bethlehem to a church Nativity in Tel Aviv, Israel, where it is escorted by three Scouts, each of whom represent the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths. Then it is flown to Austria and distributed to Scouts who take it to their countries, said Bob Granchie, the Whispering Pines Great Trail Council’s district chaplain.

Afterward, the light arrives in New York City before Scouts and volunteers distribute it across the U.S., said Granchie, who’s also chairman of the Catholic Committee on Scouting for the Diocese of Youngstown.

Those travels, however, were postponed this year because of the pandemic, he said. Nevertheless, Granchie has had such a light burning in his home since 2018 and was encouraged to bring it to Monday’s gathering, he said.

“At least we had one burning in the area,” Granchie said.

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