From the 1st-3rd of March, clergy from the largest diocese in the Russian Church Abroad, covering a third of the United States (from Florida to Maine), took part in the Lenten pastoral retreat hosted by the Cathedral of St. John the Forerunner in Mayfield, Pennsylvania.

This year, 100 participants were registered. With His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion’s blessing, the wives of clergymen now take part in pastoral retreats. Representing Holy Trinity Monastery was Hieromonk Theophilact, a father-confessor of the monastery, registrator of the seminary, and long-time professor.

On Monday, the retreat program began with the first part of a presentation by Archpriest Artemii Vladimirov, dedicated to the struggle of pastoral service in the 21st century. The venerable Moscow pastor spoke about the spiritual battle waged by a pastor in the depths of his own heart, and emphasized liturgical service as the main struggle in the life of God’s priest. Fr. Artemii’s discussion was a continuation of topics he touched upon during a debate with students during his visit to Holy Trinity Seminary.

Later, presentations were made regarding various Diocesan projects, including providing clergy with medical insurance and pensions. After this, Deacon Andrei Psarev, instructor at Holy Trinity Seminary, presented a lecture. March 21st of this year will mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Archbishop Vitalii (Maksimenko). In his lecture, Fr. Andrei attempted to present the biography of this noteworthy North-American hierarch - the founder of our seminary in Jordanville and of the monastery in Ladomirova, whose brothers made Holy Trinity Monastery what it is today.

On Tuesday morning, Saint Tikhon’s monastery, located near Mayfield, joyfully greeted His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion. A tour of this, the oldest Orthodox monastery in the USA was organized for the archpastors and clergy of the diocese. Special attention was paid to building projects of Archimandrite Panteleimon (Nizhnik), a brother at Saint Tikhon’s before he founded Holy Trinity Monastery.

Upon returning to the church hall at St. John-the-Forerunner Cathedral, Fr. Artemii continued his presentation, in which he expanded on the pastor’s struggle in preserving and handing down the Church’s Tradition, in life with one’s family, and providing spiritual nourishment for one’s flock.

On Wednesday morning, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion celebrated the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts. Sixty-one clergy received the Holy Mysteries. During the farewell luncheon participants in the retreat shared their thoughts and noted the large spiritual benefit of such brotherly gatherings.