17th Annual Diaconal Liturgical Practicum

Coming Soon

Registration is currently Closed

Because the Practicum would incur expenses based on the number of attendees, you may cancel your registration and receive a refund by notifying dvp@oca.org by June 1. Cancellations received after the stated deadline will not be guaranteed a refund but may be considered in the event of a waitlist.

Santa Rosa: Just 55 miles north of San Francisco, in the urban heart of wine country, you’ll find Santa Rosa: a city with a cool vibe and vibrant culture ready and waiting to be explored. Santa Rosa is the happening hub for all there is to see, do, eat, drink, hike, bike and explore in Sonoma County. Visitors will find it’s easy and convenient to arrive or depart from Santa Rosa with airline service provided by major carriers including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines and seasonal provider Sun Country Airlines. Major carriers offer daily non-stop flights to and from the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS). Additionally, Santa Rosa is also just 68 miles north of two major Bay Area airports, San Francisco International (SFO) and Oakland International (OAK). More information: https://www.visitsantarosa.com/getting-here-and-trip-ideas

*Part of this section has been reprinted from the Visit Santa Rosa website

St. Seraphim Cathedral: The site of St. Seraphim Cathedral / Protection of the Holy Virgin Mary Parish is ideal for rigorous liturgical training and prayerful contemplation. The parish has a rich history with a growing membership including members from many ethnic backgrounds. The parish grounds have two church buildings: The Protection of the Holy Virgin Church, the original chapel hand-built by the parish founders in 1936; and St. Seraphim of Sarov Cathedral, built in 1996. The inside is exquisitely adorned with true frescos and traditional Orthodox iconography. The parish has a small vineyard of Syrah grapes which yield several cases of wine each harvest season. Archpriest Lawrence Margitich, parish rector, and Reader Nicolas Craig Custer, Choir Master, will also serve on our faculty.

Accommodations and Meals:

Hotel Information:
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Rosa Sonoma
111 Commercial Court
Santa Rosa California
Local hotel number: 707-596-9800

To reserve a room: call 800-753-3757 and reference Itinerary #: 5136B432112683. They will also ask you for the name of the block: Block 2024 Diaconal Liturgical Practicum. Finally, please note that the hotel software will likely e-mail you the whole block’s list of confirmation numbers, so please ask the agent for yours specifically so you can go on to the La Quinta website and locate your specific information. We regret the inconvenience, but the reduced rate we received hopefully makes this hassle worth it.  Reservations must be made before June 21, 2024.

Rates – Double Rooms or Single Rooms (please specify): $149.00 + 15% Taxes

Participants are welcome to stay elsewhere as preferred.

Most meals are included in the registration rate and are provided on-site at St. Seraphim Cathedral or nearby.

We often receive questions from potential participants regarding ways to prepare for our Diaconal Liturgical Practicum. This page seeks to answer some of these “Frequently Asked Questions.”

I’m just entering the Diaconal Vocations Program. Should I attend?

The Holy Synod believes that everyone studying for the Diaconate should study and practice liturgics in a regular, organic fashion. Attending an annual summer program with experienced faculty and other DVP participants is a very effective aid in preparation for the Diaconate. You will “get something” from the program every year you attend, whether you are new, returning, or already ordained. Participants in the Diaconal Vocations Program are required to attend two Practicums.

I’ve been a deacon for some time. Is this for me?

Every deacon can benefit from participating in the fellowship, conciliar service, and indeed, a refresher course in liturgical practice. Experienced participants can be a great encouragement to those just beginning their journey to the diaconate. Past participants have described their diaconate as being refreshed after attending. If you are not sure whether you ought to register for the program, please e-mail Archpriest Kirill to discuss at dvp@oca.org.

How can I make myself ready for this Practicum?

Everyone comes to our program from different parishes and with different experiences. With that in mind, our practical training seeks to start at a level where everyone can participate and grow. Already-ordained deacons and future candidates are trained in ways appropriate to their experience. Participants can have the best experience by preparing in the following ways:

1. Seek the guidance of your parish priest and the director of your vocations program.
2. Experience worship actively.
3. Pay attention to the Divine Liturgy and other services of the Church in your parish.
4. Without getting “bogged down” in a book, follow the outline of the services in service books.
5. Try to anticipate the liturgical actions of the priest, deacon, and servers before they occur. Are there discernible patterns?
6. If you are not already a deacon, your priest may invite you to participate in the services as an altar server, reader, or choir member. Be obedient in these matters to your parish priest and try to grow in your abilities under his direction.
7. You may wish to seek the guidance of a skilled musician, such as your parish’s choir director, if you are inexperienced in church reading.
8. Above all, prayerful preparation by faithful participation in the divine services is key.
9. Come to the Practicum physically rested and mentally alert for a program that will be challenging but, we pray, rewarding.

Should I bring my own vestments?

We ask that deacons bring a complete set of green (preferable) or gold vestments (stikharion, orarion, and cuffs) to ensure a good fit for serving. It is our practice that deacons vest fully for the reception of Holy Communion in the altar. We will provide vestments for those participants serving as subdeacons and servers but you may bring gold vestments if you prefer.