With the Archpastoral Blessing of His Grace Bishop Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America, the Eastern Region Federation of Circles of Serbian Sisters held their first-ever women’s retreat at St. Sava Camp-Shadeland during the weekend of October 11-13, 2024.
The retreat began on Friday evening with registration and a welcoming meal.
Attendees from twelve different parishes later gathered around a bonfire to get to know each other better.
God provided beautiful weather on Saturday at Shadeland’s scenic grounds. Following breakfast, Marija Topich opened the program warmly welcoming the attendees and introducing the theme of “Let It Go!” Marija and Alexis Janiga planned and shared the workload together as a team to enable the retreat to become a reality. This was a first-time initiative. Great care and thought were involved in the planning and attention to detail to ensure success.
A video presentation by His Grace Bishop Irinej elaborated on the theme of “Let It Go!” His Grace expressed great pleasure with this first retreat being held with the hope of more in the future. His Grace was very enthusiastic about the Most Venerable Mother Christophora being the featured speaker for the retreat. His Grace served this year at the patronal feast of the Monastery of the Transfiguration where Mother Christophora is the Abbess.
KSS Federation President Millie Radovick presented her and Vice-President DeeDee Baskot’s more than twenty-five year’ history with the Federation’s operating of the camp. Their love for Shadeland and the children is immeasurable.
Mother Christophora addressed the theme of “Let It Go! In a two part-talk. She initially spoke of God’s wisdom in the creation of the complimentary natures of men and women. She drew from the Holy Scriptures in her remarks.
Mother Christophora focused in the second part of her talk on letting go of this world and entering God’s Kingdom through participating in the Divine Liturgy.
She actively engaged the retreat participants in her soul enriching talk. St. John Chrysostom, Father Alexander and Matushka Juliana Schmemann were among the references Mother Christophora utilized to elaborate on main points in her presentation.
Abbess Christophora carefully reviewed the establishment of the Monastery of the Transfiguration by +Mother Alexandra, the former Princess Ileana of Romania – sister of Queen Maria of Yugoslavia. Mother Christophora spoke of her own monastic journey and the continuing need for monastics.
Saturday morning of the retreat included a highly skilled presentation by Georgette Osmond on the making and decorating of a Slava Kolach – The festal bread is a treasured part of Serbian Orthodox spirituality and lives.
Women planning to attend the retreat were encouraged in advance to read the spiritual classic, The Way of a Pilgrim. The book focuses on the value of the Jesus Prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” A lively discussion was held in the afternoon on the participants’ thoughts and questions regarding the Jesus Prayer and The Way of a Pilgrim. During the discussion, at one point, participants reverently joined in singing the Jesus Prayer.
During a period of free time in the afternoon, the retreat included an interesting opportunity for the retreat participants to travel to a nearby Amish store for shopping. For some of the women this would be a first-time experience.
The late afternoon concluded with Protopresbyter Rodney Torbic and Deacon Mark Matiievich serving the Akathist of the Protection of the Mother of God. The Akathist provided for extensive participation by the women in attendance. The Akathist of the Protection was timely since the Feast of the Protection is on October 1/14. The monastery church is dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God. The Feast of the Dormition is the Federation’s patronal feast.
After the Saturday evening meal, the women enjoyed crafting personalized decorative wreaths. The completed wreaths served as colorful and joyful reminders of the women’s attendance at the retreat.
Father Rodney and Deacon Mark celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday with the women believers providing the inspiring and uplifting-responses. Sara Topich read the Epistle.
The retreat concluded with the women being treated to a nourishing meal prior to their departure. The schedule from registration on Friday evening until the ending on Sunday morning was thoughtfully and very well planned.
More than sixty women attended from twelve different parishes. Diocesan communities represented included Pennsylvania parishes in Aliquippa, McKeesport, Monroeville and Pittsburgh. Ohio parishes were from the communities of Akron, North Canton, Copely, Parma and Steubenville. Women came also from the churches in New York City and Washington D.C. The Orthodox Church in America parish in nearby Crossingville, Pennsylvania had several women attending.
The idea for the retreat originated with Marija Topich, who together with Alexis Janiga organized the retreat with the full support and cooperation of the Kolo Federation Executive Board. Federation President Millie Radovick and Vice-President DeeDee Baskot did advance work in preparation for the retreat and were present throughout the proceedings. Mary Ann Tomich assisted with the room decorations. Janice Dean oversaw and managed the food preparation. Many of the women took part in assisting with the food.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the authentic nourishment for the hunger in believers’ souls. This retreat was highly successful in focusing on “Letting Go“ of all that is not of Christ. God-willing, the Kolo Federation will hold many more women’s retreats in the future.
-Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Rodney Torbic
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