Spiritual Retreats
For Orthodox Christians a pilgrimage is a journey or search of great moral significance to the Orthodox belief and faith. The object of any particular pilgrimage can vary greatly, from pilgrimages of great meaning to all Orthodox believers to those that may have significance to believers in a local area. A person who makes such a journey is called a pilgrim….
Pilgrimages by Christians were first made to sites connected with the birth, life, crucifixion, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Surviving descriptions, such as that by the pilgrim Egeria, of Christian pilgrimages to the Holy Land date from the fourth century, when pilgrimage was encouraged by church fathers like St. Jerome. Pilgrimages also began to be made to Rome and other sites associated with the Apostles, various saints, and Christian martyrs.
Over time it became common to make pilgrimages to the Reliquaries of the saints, Cathedrals and Monasteries as well.
Based on: http://orthodoxwiki.org/Pilgrimage
Upcoming Retreats
Orthodox LIFE School
Established in 2017 as a regular week-long retreat for young adults, the Orthodox LIFE School is an instructional and practical week-long experience. The “LIFE” stands for Liturgy, Inspiration, Faithfulness, and Experience. Students in this School will learn about and participate in private prayer and corporate prayer.
We will gather for the morning and evening services with the monks in the chapel. We will listen to inspirational speakers and interact with them and each other. They will work alongside the monks for in the daily monastery tasks. They will prepare themselves and “go to the streets” with the message of Christ and His Church.
Young people face many challenges in the world today. Knowing this, don’t let the world overwhelm you, sign up for the 2023 Orthodox LIFE School and expect great things to happen!
• Be inspired to live for Christ and follow Him
• Grow as a Christian and get a deeper sense of purpose
• Discuss and reflect on the big questions in life
• Get help to establish a personal prayer life
• Establish new and lasting relationships with people who desire to go deeper
Speakers for 2023:
- His Grace Bishop Daniel of Santa Rosa, CA
- Abbess Melania of Holy Assumption, Calistoga, CA
- Hieromonk Innocent of Saint John Monastery
- Ginny Nieuwsma
Color flyer for Orthodox LIFE School 2023:
Join the discussion on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/3011322839177707/
June 11-17, 2023
The Monastery of St. John of San Francisco
Ages: 18 – 35 (men & women)
Cost: $ 300
Application due by: May 15th
Click on the link below to apply:
Sample Schedule:
Friday:
Pilgrims arrive in the afternoon and evening
5:00 Vespers
6:30 Supper
7:30 Introductory Session
8:45 Compline
Saturday:
7:00 Service in Chapel (Jesus Prayer, Hours, Divine Liturgy)
9:30 Breakfast
10:30 Second Session
1:00 Lunch
2:00 Third Session
4:00 Free time
5:00 Supper
6:00 Q & A, or one-on-one meetings
7:00-10:15 Vigil
Sunday:
8:00 Service in Chapel (Jesus Prayer, Hours, Divine Liturgy with Homily)
10:30 Breakfast
11:30 Wrap-up Session
12:30 Pilgrims travel home
$125 per person, Couples $200 (subject to change, please contact!)
Please contact us to make your reservation
For directions to the monastery please go to the “Contact Us” page.