Future Deacons Gather
The participants are enrolled in the Orthodox Church in America’s Diaconal Vocations Program or are in the process of discerning a diaconal vocation. Archdeacon Kirill Sokolov, coordinator of diaconal and late vocations for the Orthodox Church in America, led the retreat. Archpriest Mathew Tate, Rector of Annunciation Church, Archpriest George Gray, Priest Nicholas Kime and other local clergy took part in the divine services and in panel discussions on the holy diaconate. The practicum was organized by the Diocese of the West with the blessing of His Grace, Bishop Benjamin of San Francisco and the West.
"Weekend practicums are a way for the Church to bring together vocations program participants for fellowship, mutual upbuilding, and experience beyond the parochial setting," explains Archdeacon Kirill. "Intense liturgical training allows us to prepare candidates in this highly visible and central aspect of the diaconal ministry." Local diaconal practicums augment longer sessions usually held during the summer at seminaries or other regional centers. In 2010, practicums spanning multiple days took place in New York and Kodiak.
The practicum began Friday, October 8, with prayer and a talk on the nature of the diaconate by Archdeacon Kirill followed by discussion with local clergy. Early Saturday morning, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in honor of St. Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and Enlightener of North America. The participants served, read, and sang the responses with the faithful of Annunciation Church. Father Mathew Tate preached on the sacrificial ministry of St. Tikhon in both America and in Russia and the model of Church unity he envisioned in our land. A long day of practical liturgical instruction followed culminated in the serving of Great Vespers. The twelve hour day encompassed instruction in the "patterns" that shape liturgical movement in the Divine Liturgy and other Church services. On Sunday, October 10, Matins began at 8 AM and continued into Divine Liturgy at 10 AM. A luncheon hosted by the parish strengthened the participants and a final session of summarizing material and answering questions on the diaconate and the Diaconal Vocations Program was held. The weekend ended with prayers for safe travel.
The Diaconal Vocations Program is a church-wide program of the Holy Synod of Bishops overseen by the Holy Synod’s Board of Theological Education. Further information is available on the web site of the Orthodox Church in America at http://www.oca.org/dvp.