What a wonderful opportunity for our diocesan clergy to congregate together for spiritual strengthening and mutual support during Great Lent. These retreats have been held in various parishes. However, last year and this year the retreats have been held on the sacred grounds of Holy Trinity Monastery, regarded by many as the spiritual center of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad.
This year, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas arrived with the miraculous icon of the Mother of God of Kursk, the odigitria of our church, to preside at the retreat. He was joined by our own abbot, His Grace Bishop Luke and on Wednesday, His Grace Bishop Jerome joined in the celebration of the liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.
Over 70 clergy assembled from all over the Eastern American Diocese, the largest diocese of our church. Clergy began to arrive on Monday, the 24th. The conference itself began on the 25th. There was a very interesting lecture given by Archpriest Peter Perekrestov concerning liturgical practices of the church, especially during Great Lent.
Ample time was given for questions and answers. In the afternoon, our seminarians were given the opportunity to participate. Besides this, time was provided for our guests to attend the monastery divine services, performed in their entirety, according to the strict typicon.
On Wednesday, the 26th, a very moving liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts was concelebrated by our bishops in union with all of the clergy. The monastery and seminary choir sang antiphonally on two kleroses in traditional monastic fashion, all of the Great Lenten services of the day, starting at 5AM with the Midnight Office, followed by Matins and the Hours. Then at 10:30 AM His Eminence was greeted at the entrance of the church, which was followed by his vesting and the liturgy.
Priest George Sharonoff was awarded the nabedrinik at the Small Entrance for his service to the holy Church. Despite the very large number of clergy concelebrating, the service proceeded orderly and with great compunction. At the end of the service, a group photograph was taken as is the tradition. Afterwards all were invited to the monastery lunch.
Glory to God for all things.
For more information on the Clergy Retreat see here and here:
|  |
| ||||||||||
