On Tuesday, April 9, priests and deacons of the northern deaneries of the Eastern American Diocese gathered in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY for the start of the Great Lenten Pastoral Retreat.

Welcomed by warm spring air and the emerging green landscape of Upstate New York, the clergy were treated to a sumptuous breakfast of fresh pastries and homemade porridge. As they trickled in following registration, they warmly embraced each other, learning about new developments in their personal and parish lives.

To the singing of the troparion, the clergy greeted the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God ‒ who was accompanied by the ruling bishop of the Eastern American Diocese, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, and the abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery, Bishop Luke of Syracuse.

His Eminence greeted the attendees, beginning the morning’s keynote discussion of the liturgical traditions of the Russian Church Abroad. Bishop Luke expounded on this topic by providing a lecture on the traditions that began and continue to this day in the monastery. This topic was especially important for the clergy who were recently ordained in the Diocese.

Before lunch in the refectory, Archimandrite Nektarios (Harding) delivered a presentation on the recent developments surrounding the construction of wind turbines in the sight lines of the monastery. He was able to apprise the diocesan clergy of the destructive impact the wind turbines would have on the monastery and its surrounding environment. A resolution to the local authorities in protest of the construction was signed by all participants. To learn more about this, please click here.

The Diocesan Media Office provided the opportunity for clerics to update their directory information, as well as to purchase clergy ID cards and various photographs showcasing notable events in the life of the Diocese.

In the second half of the day, Reader Nicholas Chapman presented on the works of Holy Trinity Publications and Dean Nicolas Schidlovsky touched on the developments of Holy Trinity Seminary. Deputy Director of the Alumni Association Archpriest Serge Lukianov discussed various fundraising efforts and noted the positive fruits of these labors: the renovation of the Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov Seminary Hall, mostly carried out by seminarians themselves.

A roundtable discussion between the hierarchs and clergy then ensued, during which they were able to pose and discuss questions on pastoral, liturgical, and administrative issues.

In the evening, Vespers took place in the cathedral, after which dinner was served masterfully by the brotherhood. Great Compline was then held, during which the priests and deacons were able to confess their sins in preparation for the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts to be celebrated the next day.