Diocesan Clergy Participate in the 2026 OCA Pastoral Retreat

MUNDELEIN, IL [DOEPA]

From September 29 through October 2, 2026, eleven clergy members from the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania joined bishops, priests, and deacons from across the Orthodox Church in America for the 2026 Pastoral Retreat. Organized by the Orthodox Church in America's Office of Pastoral Life, the four-day gathering was held at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, IL.

Representing the Diocese were Archpriest Raymond Browne, Diocesan Chancellor and Rector of St. Mark’s Church in Wrightstown, PA; Archpriest Timothy Hojnicki, Diocesan Vice-Chancellor, Dean of the Frackville Deanery, and Rector of Holy Apostles Church in Mechanicsburg, PA; Archpriest Victor Gorodenchuk, Dean of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Philadelphia, PA, and Dean of the Philadelphia Deanery; and Archpriest Innocent Neal, Dean of the Wilkes-Barre Deanery and Rector of Holy Trinity Church in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Also participating from across Eastern Pennsylvania were Archpriest Paul Fetsko, Rector of St. Herman of Alaska Church in Glen Mills, PA; Archpriest Stephen Vernak, Rector of Christ the Saviour Church in Harrisburg, PA; Priest Vjekoslav Jovičić, Rector of Holy Trinity Church in Stroudsburg, PA; Priest Kirill Zawatski, Rector of Holy Ascension Church in Frackville, PA; Priest Paul Witek, Rector of All Saints Church in Olyphant, PA, and Academic Dean of St. Tikhon’s Theological Seminary; Priest Michael Shepherd, Rector of St. Michael’s Church in Old Forge, PA; and Deacon John Shingara, cleric of Christ the Saviour Church in Harrisburg, PA. The Diocese covered the registration fee for all clergy who wished to attend.

Gathering around the theme “The Fields Are Ripe for the Harvest,” the clergy set aside the ordinary demands of parish ministry for several days of prayer, worship, instruction, reflection, and brotherhood. The retreat offered participants an opportunity to renew their spiritual lives, learn from experienced speakers and ministry leaders, and strengthen relationships with fellow clergy serving throughout the Orthodox Church in America.

In his opening remarks, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, emphasized that time devoted to prayer and pastoral renewal is essential to the life and ministry of the clergy. His Beatitude noted that “these moments of rest and renewal are necessary so that we might be strengthened and re-energized to return to our sacred ministries.”

The retreat’s principal presentations were offered by Archpriest John Parker, Dean of St. Tikhon’s Theological Seminary, and Mother Christophora, Abbess of Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Ellwood City, PA. Father John presented “Radical Growth and a Return to the Roots of Discipleship,” encouraging the clergy to consider the pastoral implications of growth while remaining firmly rooted in the fundamental work of forming disciples of Christ. Mother Christophora offered “The One Who Endures to the End Will Be Saved: Clues from the Cloister,” drawing upon the wisdom of monastic life to reflect upon perseverance, endurance, and faithful service.

Optional workshops addressed several areas of contemporary pastoral ministry, including preaching and spiritual hunger, serving established and aging parishes, fostering a culture of hospitality, practicing digital discernment, encouraging stewardship and parish growth, and identifying and preparing men for priestly vocations. Prayer and worship remained at the heart of the gathering. The retreat included daily prayers, Great Vespers, and the celebration of a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God on Thursday, October 1, at New Gračanica Monastery in Third Lake, IL. Shared meals, informal conversations, fellowship, and periods of rest also allowed the clergy to renew existing friendships and establish new relationships with their brothers in ministry.

The retreat strengthened the participating clergy as they prepared to return to their parishes and ministries throughout the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania. Through its retreats and other programs, the Office of Pastoral Life seeks to promote the spiritual, vocational, and personal well-being of clergy and their families throughout every season of parish ministry.

The next Office of Pastoral Life Pastoral Retreat is scheduled for October 19–22, 2027, at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake.

Glory to God for all things!

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The Orthodox Church in America’s Office of Pastoral Life supports the well-being of clergy and their families, who are foundational to parish life across North America. Believing that the health of the Church is inseparable from the health of her clergy, the Office offers programs that build resilience, connection, and pastoral joy. Programs include Thriving in Ministry peer-learning groups, Financial Health Initiatives, quarterly Synaxis Gatherings, retreats, and Clergy Wives Ministry. In partnership with bishops, dioceses, parishes and generous donors, the Office of Pastoral Life helps create sustainable conditions in which priests, deacons and their families throughout the Orthodox Church in America can flourish spiritually, vocationally, and personally through every season of parish ministry.