DIOCESE OF EASTERN AMERICA: 27 March 2025
Jordanville’s Holy Trinity Monastery hosts the Great Lenten Pastoral Retreat for the Northern Deanery of the Eastern American Diocese

On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, clergy of the Eastern American Diocese embarked on their journeys to Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, for the start of the Northern Great Lenten Pastoral Retreat.

The cold weather still commonplace in this time of year for the rolling hills of Central New York was quickly replaced by the warm fraternal embraces of the clergy greeting one another. Newly-ordained clerics of the Diocese were able to acquaint themselves with senior clergymen, exchanging contact information with one another.

At the appointed time, the clergy rose to greet the ruling bishop of the Eastern American Diocese, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, and the Abbot of the monastery, His Grace Bishop Luke of Syracuse.

The day’s keynote speaker was Archpriest Peter Perekrestov (Dean of the Cathedral of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" in San Francisco, CA), on the topic of "The Liturgical Legacy of ROCOR. A Case Study: Archbishop Anthony (Medvedev) and St John’s Glorification." After its conclusion, a film dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the glorification of the Holy Hierarch John of Shanghai and San Francisco was shown.

After lunch in the monastery refectory, the clergy reassembled for an informal discussion between the hierarchs and clergy on pastoral topics.

Throughout the day, clergy were able to peruse the monastery bookstore, explore the renovated seminary facilities, and pray at the graves of the departed hierarchs, clergy, and laity of the Russian Church Abroad.

Following their classes of the day, the seminarians were granted the opportunity to join the clergy, asking important vocational and theological questions.

The administration of Holy Trinity Seminary then presented various reports to the assembled clergy.

In the evening, vespers and later Great Compline were served in Holy Trinity Cathedral, during which the clerics were able to confess their sins in preparation for the next day’s Divine Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts.

eadiocese.org