The Fall Pastoral Retreat of the clergy of the Western American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia was held on October 21-23 at St. George the Great Martyr Church in Salt Lake City (Utah).

The retreat keynote speaker this year was Archpriest Seraphim Holland, clergyman of the Chicago Diocese, rector of St. Nicholas Church in McKinney, Texas. His topics were: “Orthodox Identity,” and ”Prison Ministry.”

In addition to the formal presentations by Fr. Seraphim, there were reports by the diocesan committees and discussions on pastoral issues, including those related to missionary work and liturgical practices.

On Monday evening, the meeting participants were shown the new film about St. John (Maximovitch): “The Aroma of Holiness.”

On Tuesday, the day began with Divine Liturgy, and in the evening an All-night Vigil was celebrated on the occasion of the feast of the Venerable Elders of Optina. A clergy quartet under the direction of Archpriest Paul Volmensky sang the responses at all the services.

The retreat concluded with a Pontifical Liturgy, at which all the clergy partook of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, and a festal luncheon. The active and enthusiastic participation of the parish sisterhood and the parishioners of St. George's Church in all the services and their hospitality warmed the hearts of the participants of the pastoral retreat. Bishop James, on behalf of the clergy, thanked the sisterhood of the parish, not only for their hospitality but for the excellent preparation of all the meals. 

Clergy from far and wide across the vast Western American Diocese, strengthened by the mysteries of Confession and Communion, the movie with so much footage of St. John, and by the open fraternal fellowship and clergy sobornost, returned to their parishes with gratitude to the rector of St. George's Church, Archpriest Michael van Opstall, and his parishioners, to continue their service to our Western American Diocese.