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This past year, nearly 120 bishops and priests from across the Orthodox Church in America came together for a 3-day OCA Clergy Retreat at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake Conference Center in Mundelein, IL. Organized by the Office of Pastoral Life, this gathering offered a much-needed opportunity for in-person fellowship, prayer, and education. The event emphasized the importance of face-to-face interaction, where shared worship and conversation could nurture both the spiritual and communal relationships between clergy members.
These retreats are vital to strengthening the priestly brotherhood in the OCA, fostering relationships built on trust, shared experiences, and mutual support.
Parish ministry can be a deeply rewarding yet isolating vocation, with priests often serving in communities geographically distant from other Orthodox parishes. . Bringing bishops and parish priests together in the same space allows for a communion beyond formal meetings, creating lasting connections that help sustain them in their ministry.
In his reflections during the retreat, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon spoke poignantly about the strength of these clergy relationships. “We gather as this bench of brothers and concelebrants,” he said, “sharing wisdom with one another, consoling or commiserating with one another, bearing one another’s burdens and thus fulfilling the law of Christ — the law of love.” His words captured the heart of what the retreat offered: a time to share in the common joys and challenges of the priesthood, knowing that in coming together, the clergy are united in their service to Christ and the Church.
The retreat also provided important educational opportunities. Very Rev. Archimandrite Dr. Maximos Constas led sessions on the Prayer of the Heart, offering participants both theological insight and practical instruction. These teachings, along with the rich liturgical services shared at the retreat, gave clergy a chance to reconnect with the foundational spiritual practices that nourish their ministries.
Beyond the formal sessions, time for conversation and fellowship was abundant. Clergy took walks on the scenic grounds, shared meals, and spent time in personal discussions, all of which deepened their sense of connection. These informal moments are as important as the structured ones, reinforcing the bonds that sustain them in their daily ministry.
The gathering at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chicago for the Divine Liturgy was a high point of the retreat. Bishops and priests stood shoulder to shoulder, concelebrating the Liturgy and offering prayers for the clergy who had passed on before them. This sacred moment was a powerful reminder of the timeless nature of the priestly calling and the need for ongoing mutual support.
As Fr. Nicholas Solak, Director of the Office of Pastoral Life, noted, “This retreat was a wonderful opportunity for our clergy to strengthen our priestly brotherhood. The fellowship, the talks, and the time worshiping together are all very important to our priestly work.” His words highlight the lasting impact these retreats have on those who attend, giving them the tools and relationships they need to continue serving their parishes with renewed vigor and commitment.
Supporting these in-person retreats and other programs of the Office of Pastoral Life is essential to the ongoing spiritual health of the OCA’s clergy. To ensure that our bishops and parish priests continue to have these opportunities for growth, fellowship, and learning, we invite you to become a Steward of the OCA today. Your support helps sustain the ministry of those who serve our communities and strengthen the bonds that unite us in Christ.
Become a Steward of the OCA today!
