This December, we were blessed with the opportunity to participate for the first time in a retreat down in Colorado Springs. Fr. Anthony Karbo holds this event every year for three days right after Christmas. Orthodox youth from several different churches (Holy Theophany, St. Spyridon’s, St. Luke’s, and St. Herman’s) came and joined in the good times and fellowship. Forty participants ranging from seventh grade to college age attended this year’s retreat. Both nights the service of Vespers was held, while one morning Orthros was given and the other morning Divine Liturgy.

The Church of the Annunciation in Milwaukee, Oregon, will host the annual Mission Deanery Retreat on February 7-9, 2012. The retreat begins at 12:00 pm (noon) with a deli buffet and then Opening Moleben at 3:0 pm, on February 7th and ends mid-afternoon on February 9th.

The retreat master will be Archimandrite Meletios (Webber), Abbot of St. John of Shanghai Monastery in Manton, California. His topic will be "How to Find Silence in a Noisy World."

Cost for the retreat is $175.00 including two nights double occupancy and meals, or $125.00 for no lodging, meals and retreat only. For information, please contact Lydia Mullany at (503) 659-3646 or by email at annunciationoregon@hotmail.com.

You may also register online here.

ANCIENT AND HOLY ITALY
An Orthodox Pilgrimage
October 14-27, 2012

Download information and contact poster

Day 1. Sunday, October 14, 2012
Group assembles in the airport and departs from the US.

Day 2. Monday, October 15, 2012
Meals: Dinner.
Group arrives to the airport in Milan, Italy. Transfer to the hotel for some refreshment. After couple hours of rest, tour of the city in the afternoon. Milan is the largest city in Northern Italy, and always was an important cultural and administrative center. It was here that Constantine issued the famous edict that granted freedom of religion to Christians. During our tour we will see the mighty Duomo, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Europe. In the crypt under the Cathedral, we will see the remains of the Ancient Baptistry where St. Ambrose, saintly Bishop of Milan, baptized St. Augustine of Hippo. From here we will proceed to the Basilica of St. Ambrose, where his relics are resting amidst relics of Ancient Christian Martyrs Gervasius and Protasius. Overnight: Milan or area.

A unique opportunity — a cruise and conference at sea — "Experiencing and Defending the Glory of Orthodox Christianity," will be held September 16-23, 2012. Planned with the blessing of His Grace, Bishop Benjamin, the cruise will explore Juneau and Sitka as well as Glacier Bay. Daily lectures and workshops will be offered by Father Meletios (Weber), Abbot of St. John's Monastery in Manton, CA and Father Laurent Cleenewerck, author and Academic Advisor at the Theological Institute of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Mexico and Acting Rector of St. Innocent Church in Eureka, CA.

More information, including rates and agenda can be found here.