DIOCESE OF CHICAGO AND MID-AMERICA: 11 April 2024
Holy Virgin Protection Church hosts the Northern Clergy Retreat

In order to maximize the opportunity for the clergymen of the diocese to gather for mutual spiritual support and communion, our Mid-American Diocese again this year is holding clergy retreats in both the southern and northern parts of the diocese. The Northern Clergy Retreat took place from Monday, April 1 through Wednesday, April 3 at the Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Des Plaines, Illinois.

On Monday evening the traditional General Unction service was performed for the gathered clergy and faithful. Hundreds of faithful from throughout the northern half of the diocese participated in this sacrament, with the anointing going on well into the night.

Tuesday was the working day of the retreat, with diocesan business of various sorts taking place, as well as two presentations on marriage counseling by Archpriest Michael Carney. That evening Great Lenten Vespers and Matins were served in the cathedral. The gathered clergy had the opportunity to partake of confession this night.

Wednesday morning Archbishop Peter led the gathered clergy in the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. At the Liturgy the following clergymen received awards:

• Priest Mikhail Volzhanskii: Archpriest
• Priest Colin Bower: Nabedrinik
• Priest Artemii Makartetskyi: Nebedrinik
• Priest Thomas Nichols: Nabedrinik

Following the Divine Service a meal was offered by the cathedral sisterhood for the gathered clergymen.

After the meal and final interactions with Archbishop Peter the gathered clergymen and faithful departed to their parishes, thankful for the opportunity to meet and pray together in the middle of Great Lent again this year.

Chicago Clergy Retreat 2024: Resolution

We the clergy of the Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America met at Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral from April 1-3 for our annual Great Lenten clergy retreat. The retreat began with the mystery of Holy Unction, where hundreds of faithful were anointed for the healing of soul and body. The gathered fathers were blessed to hear instruction regarding marriage counseling from Archpriest Michael Carney and discuss matters pertaining to the diocese.

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Fr. Viktor Trotskyy last week in Moscow. As a cleric of our diocese for over twenty years he was beloved by his fellow clergy and all the faithful who were blessed to know him. Each of us have fond personal recollections of him and have heard from our faithful how he has touched their lives through his pastoral labors. Fr. Viktor’s joyful and pastoral demeanor was infectious and lifted the spirits of all who were around him, and it is our hope that we can emulate his spirit among our own flocks. May his memory be eternal!

We appreciate the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church’s refutation to the Roman Catholic Church’s new teaching regarding the blessing of homosexual unions. The Church cannot bless sinful lifestyles. Desiring the salvation of man, the Church calls the faithful to repentance and adherence to the traditional teachings regarding marriage and anthropology.

We also appreciate the continued support our ROCOR Synod provides to his holiness Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem and all Palestine, and his beatitude Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and all Ukraine and their suffering flocks. We add our fervent prayers for the peace and protection of God’s people and holy places, and invoke the aid of our most holy Lady Theotokos for our suffering brothers and sisters in Ukraine and Gaza.

Finally, we remind the faithful that Great Lent is a time of repentance, and we must remember The Wisdom of Sirach: “my son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation” (Sirach 2:1). We encourage the faithful to focus their attention during the Fast on spiritual reading, increased Church attendance and daily prayer, seeking Christ in all things. There is one thing that is needful, and that is to turn to Christ. Again, Sirach says, “be not curious in unnecessary matters: for more things are shewed unto thee than men understand” (Sir. 3:23).

The retreat culminated with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on Wednesday, presided over by Archbishop Peter and concelebrated by priests and deacons from around the diocese. We ask for the faithful to continue their prayers for the stability and well being of the Church and to support the important ministries of our diocese.