Over the past two weeks, clergy of the Eastern Diocese have gathered for two Lenten Clergy Retreats. The Lenten retreats are an annual event, which usually bring clergy together in their respective regions of the Diocese. But this year, in a departure from the typical practice, both retreats were held in different locations in Florida.
More than 20 clergy from parishes in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Texas gathered from March 11 to 13 at the St. Stephen Christian Retreat and Conference Center in Titusville, FL.
Another 14 clergy from Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin met from March 16 to 18 at the Franciscan Center in Tampa, FL.
Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan presided over both retreats, which went forward under the title, “The Weight and Joy of Ministry: Returning to the First Love.” Fr. Kevork Arakelian of the Western Diocese led thought-provoking discussions on the retreat theme at each gathering.
Fr. Arakelian’s insights drew on his lifetime of pursuing the pastoral vocation. He has the distinction of being the first graduate of St. Nersess Seminary to receive priestly ordination, and was the inspirational pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Binghamton, NY, before moving on to a lengthy service to the church of the same name in Fowler, CA.
During each retreat, participating clergy had a chance to visit a nearby Diocesan parish to worship in the Khaghaghagan service, and to enjoy an evening of fellowship with the local community. At Soorp Haroutiun Church in Orlando, the visiting priests were hosted by pastor Fr. Paren Galstyan. At St. Hagop Church in St. Petersburg, they were hosted by pastor Fr. Hovnan Demerjian.
Diocesan Vicar Fr. Simeon Odabashian was the coordinator of both gatherings. Click the following links to view photos of the two Lenten Clergy Retreats: the first in Titusville, and the second in Tampa.