On Wednesday, April 10, the Great Lenten Retreat for clergy of the northern deaneries of the Eastern American Diocese concluded with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

Early in the morning – before sunrise – the clergy, monastics, and seminarians began the daily cycle of Lenten services with the Midnight Office, Matins, Hours, and Typica. Upon their conclusion, retreat attendees donned their vestments and lined up according to rank to greet Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York. Concelebrating with him were monastery abbot Bishop Luke of Syracuse and over 70 diocesan and monastery clergy.

At the Little Entrance, Metropolitan Nicholas awarded Protodeacon Seraphim Komleski (cleric of St. Elizabeth the New Martyr Church in Rocky Hill, NJ) the right to wear the kamilavka.

Singing masterfully at Liturgy was the seminary choir under the direction of Deacon Nicholas Kotar. "Let My Prayer be Set Forth" was sung by a trio comprised of Fr. Nicholas, Hierodeacon Methodios (Pranic), and Reader Andrey Slivin.

The services were held under the aegis of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

Despite its being a workday, many parishioners of the monastery, including dozens of children, came to pray at Liturgy, most of whom received Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Upon conclusion of Liturgy, the First Hierarch greeted the clergy, summarizing the work of the retreat and sharing the joys he felt at the spiritual center of the Russian Church Abroad during the days of Great Lent, as well as interacting with the clergy. He invoked God’s blessing on all the clergy, that they return to their parishes strengthened by the prayer and conciliarity among their brethren. He also expressed his deep gratitude to Bishop Luke and the monastery brotherhood for their hospitality during the retreat.

A group photograph was taken of the clergy at the end of the retreat. All then gathered in the monastery refectory for a farewell meal before the priests and deacons embarked on their journeys back to their home parishes.