To provide our clergy with the opportunity to better spiritually prepare for the great feast of Pascha, it has been a tradition to hold conferences during Great Lent. It was agreed that future conferences should be held annually in Holy Trinity Monastery/Seminary due to the conducive monastic atmosphere and especially the complete lenten services.
Over one hundred priests and deacons along with our Metropolitan His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas along with our abbot, His Grace Bishop Luke participated. The retreat was held on March 21st and 22nd, with people arriving the evening of March 20th. The brotherhood provided hospitality, especially with Lenten meals and refreshments during the lectures. There was discussion regarding our church’s missionary work. A priest from our mission in Korea was present along with parishioner who was made a novice at the end of the conference by Vladyka Luke, as it has been decided that this mission is now under the auspices of the Monastery. Fr. Victor Potapov spoke concerning another mission for Bulgarians in his deanery. Also discussed was our mission among the numerous new immigrants living in Brooklyn, NY.
Later Tuesday, messages were given by our Seminary Dean, the Museum Curator, our prison ministry coordinator and Publications. This was followed by open discussion.
Tuesday evening, the clergy attended Vespers for the feast of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste as well as all the services on Wednesday morning, thus preparing for concelebrating the Presanctified Liturgy with our hierarchs. Confession was provided for those who desired it.
The conference culminated with the Presanctified Liturgy, which along with the Lenten hours was sung antiphonally by two choirs of seminarians and monastics. One can view photographs and a video on the Monastery site and the seminary Facebook webpage.
After the liturgy there was a group photograph, followed by a delicious meal prepared by the brethren and seminarians. Thus, fortified spiritually, our hard-working clergy returned home with renewed zeal to celebrate the holy days of Passion Week and Holy Pascha.
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