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On the weekend of November 11th, several clergy wives from around the Diocese of the West met for a retreat at the Monastery of St. John in Manton, CA. It was a weekend filled with joyful conversation, work and prayer. One clergy wife commented, “It was a blessed time together! A time to reflect, worship, learn, work together, and spend time with other clergy wives.”
We were amazed at how so few living at the monastery could offer such abundant hospitality. Truly this is a place of prayer! The divine services were offered with beauty and a devotion that touched the soul deeply. The beds and facilities were comfortable and thoughtfully arranged. The rooms for sleeping and gathering were warm and welcoming. One clergy wife remarked that it was an “atmosphere where each of us could open our heart”. The food was abundant, beautifully presented, and very, very tasty. We certainly did not lose weight!
Father Innocent offered a daily reflection on the book Sing to Your Soul, the letters of Saint John Chrysostom to his spiritual daughter Saint Olympia. We reflected on the choice of despondency and the keeping in mind of one’s virtues to pave the good path ahead. One clergy wife remarked, “the topic that Fr. Innocent spoke of went directly to my soul and helped to spur a long-awaited healing”. We received a wonderful tour of the monastery grounds and its history, including the chapel, and the candle making process. We spent Saturday afternoon making piroshky, sauerkraut and kimchee for the brotherhood. A couple of us also cleaned the chapel. On Saturday night we enjoyed local wines and cheeses, along with other goodies, to mark our unique time together (brotherhood included). On Sunday we formed a choir together and sang at the Divine Liturgy. Before we left we tasted fresh honey straight from the honeycomb while observing a bee box up close (with a screen door between us, of course!). A reminder of how sweet our time was together as Matushki in Christ that weekend.
The awaited anticipation of our arrival on Friday had transfigured to abundant joy by Sunday afternoon. Like a glass of fresh water revives the body, so our souls were renewed and ready to enter into the joy of the Nativity season. We are hopeful to continue this retreat annually and have more clergy wives participate in its great blessing.
Photos from the Retreat:
The Diocese of the West is the geographical district of the Orthodox Church in America consisting of the Western United States. The diocese has active parishes in Montana, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii. San Francisco is home to the diocese’s cathedral, Holy Trinity, as well as the Chancery offices. The diocese is led by His Grace Vasily, Bishop of San Francisco and the West.
