On Tuesday, March 17, the hierarchs, priests, and deacons of the Eastern American Diocese flocked to Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY for the start of the Northern Great Lenten Clergy Retreat.

The frigid snow and ice to which the participants awoke was quickly replaced by the fraternal embraces of the clergy inside the seminary hall. Many were able to greet one another who, because of distance, have not seen each other since the last retreat.

In the morning, the clergy greeted the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God. Following this, the ruling bishop of the Eastern American Diocese, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, opened the retreat.

"Memory Eternal" was sung for the ever-memorable Metropolitan Laurus (Škurla; +2008), Archbishop Vitaly (Maximenko; +1960), Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov (+2018), and the newly reposed Archpriest George Johnson.

Reader Nicholas Chapman reported on the works and future projects of Holy Trinity Publications.

Dean of Holy Trinity Seminary Reader Nicolas Schidlovsky reported on the activities of Holy Trinity Seminary, which also included personal reports of current students completing their degrees this year.

Archimandrite Peter (Karakozoff; Bishop-elect of Seattle), delivered the day’s keynote address, entitled "On the Mystical Prayers and the Prayer of the Third Hour. A ROCOR perspective." The talk was followed by lively discussion.

After lunch in the monastery refectory, the clergy reassembled for an informal discussion between the hierarchs and clergy on pastoral topics.

Throughout the day, clergy were able to peruse the monastery bookstore, explore the renovated seminary facilities, and pray at the graves of the departed hierarchs, clergy, and laity of the Russian Church Abroad.

Following their classes for the day, the seminarians were granted the opportunity to join the clergy, asking important vocational and theological questions.

In the evening, Vespers and later Great Compline were served in Holy Trinity Cathedral, during which the clerics were able to confess their sins in preparation for the next day’s Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.