From Friday, October 22, 2010 to Sunday, October 24, 2010, by agreement between the heads of the major Orthodox seminaries in America, the first annual senior-level class retreat was held at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA.  The purpose was for graduating seminarians to meet and discuss issues, which they will face following graduation and ordination.

The keynote speaker was the Very Reverend Archimandrite John Abdalah, dean of St. George’s Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral in Pittsburgh, PA.  Also a marriage and family counselor, Fr. John spoke about the differences between pastoral care and personal counseling, the circumstances requiring different kinds of care, and specific problems and temptations which clergymen face.  The seminarians were asked to formulate metaphors for pastoral care and name their main influences.  Fr. John answered many questions based on his own experience as a pastor, licensed counselor, and hospital chaplain.  The seminarians also spent time in small groups, becoming better acquainted and having more intimate discussion.

The seniors attended services together in the seminary chapel.  On Saturday morning, the Liturgy of St. James was served, with its interesting and unusual features hearkening back to the very early days of Christianity.  Meals were taken together in the refectory alongside members of the Holy Cross administration and faculty. There was also free time for socialization and open discussion.  Some, by necessity, returned Saturday evening while others were at liberty to stay through Sunday Divine Liturgy.  At the end of Liturgy, the Reverend Nicholas Triantafilou, President of Holy Cross, thanked the participants for attending.

Holy Trinity Seminary would like to thank Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary, and especially Deacon Nicholas Belcher, for their hospitality and hard work in organizing the retreat.