With the blessings of His Grace Bishop Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America, on Saturday, March 21, 2026, the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Pittsburgh, PA, hosted the inaugural Pan-Orthodox Great Lenten Retreat, gathering more than sixty faithful from eight parishes. The retreat, centered on the theme “Awake, O My Soul: Great Lent in an Age of Distraction,” offered a day of prayer, reflection, learning, and fellowship during this sacred season.

The day began with registration and a Lenten breakfast, followed by an opening prayer. Following the opening prayer, a memorial service was held in prayerful remembrance of His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia of Georgia, setting a solemn and spiritually attentive tone for the day.

Participants then engaged in a series of lectures given by invited speakers: Very Rev. Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Rodney Torbic, retired Director of Christian Education of the Eastern American Diocese; Rev. Presbyter Stefan Djoric, Parish Priest of St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Monroeville, PA; and Most Ven. Mother Christophora, Abbess of Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Monastery in Ellwood City, PA. Each speaker offered a unique and timely reflection on the spiritual life during Great Lent, addressing themes such as the care of the soul, the importance of prayer and inner stillness, and the struggle to guard the mind from distraction in the modern world.

Following each presentation, participants engaged in question-and-answer sessions, which allowed for a deeper exploration of the topics and fostered meaningful dialogue. These exchanges proved to be both edifying and practical, as the faithful reflected together on how to live the Lenten call to repentance and vigilance in their daily lives.

The retreat was not only a time of learning, but also of fellowship. The faithful of the host parish of the Holy Trinity Cathedral came together in a spirit of love and hospitality, preparing and serving delicious Lenten meals throughout the day. This shared table strengthened the bonds between participants and reflected the communal nature of the Church’s life.

The day concluded with the opportunity for Holy Confession, followed by the prayerful celebration of Great Vespers, bringing the retreat to a fitting and grace-filled close.

This retreat served as a powerful reminder that Great Lent is not merely a time of external observance, but a call to awaken the soul, to turn inward in repentance, and to draw near to Christ. The strong participation from multiple parishes demonstrated a shared desire among the faithful to grow spiritually and to support one another on the journey toward Pascha.

Glory to God for all things!