April 10, 2014

On Friday, March 21st, 2014, the Annual Lenten Clergy Retreat of the St. John Chrysostom Clergy Brotherhood of Metro-Detroit was held at St. Innocent Orthodox Church in Redford, Michigan.

The retreat was hosted by Mitered Archpriest Roman Star, who is the President of the Detroit Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood. The Annual Clergy Retreat is always held at St. Innocent Church on the Friday before the third Sunday of the Great Lenten Fast, the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross, as a day of spiritual renewal and brotherly fellowship in the middle of the Fast. The Retreat started with the clergy sharing brotherly fellowship in worship by concelebrating the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. Their fellowship continued at a Lenten meal that followed the Liturgy. The retreat brought a number of clergy from around the Metro-Detroit Area.

After the meal, the fellowship expanded more as the ten priests, one deacon, one monastic, and one guest gathered around to join the Retreat Leader, Archpriest Andrew Yavornitzky, in an excellent discussion about “Confession: Some History and Some Current Questions.” Fr. Andrew presented some background about the history of the Sacrament/Mystery of Holy Confession and posed numerous questions about the variations of the Sacrament in practice, historically and today. A lively discussion about various issues concerning this Holy Mystery ensued, with attendees asking and discussing questions in a relaxed environment of fellowship. It is helpful for the clergy to have opportunities to share brotherly fellowship, worship and discussions together in gatherings such as this.

 Article and Photographs by Sister Ioanna,

St. Innocent Church Redford MI