On the weekend of the Second Sunday of the Great Fast, from March 6-8, Holy Trinity Monastery and Seminary hosted 49 teenagers for a Youth Retreat. These participants came to Jordanville from Massachusetts,  New Hampshire,  New Jersey,  New York, and as far away as Chicago. Matushka Patricia Klar reported to the parents of the participants the experiences of their children as follows:

We began the retreat with some fun icebreakers to help everyone get comfortable with one another. The teens enjoyed games such as Speed Charades and Bible Trivia, which created lots of laughter while also testing their knowledge of Scripture.

 

Saturday began with a special Q&A talk with Bishop Luke. The youth had the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions and hear about topics such as the meaning of vestments, how we can work to control our thoughts, the importance of hating the sin but not the sinner, and being honest with our friends about what we believe as Orthodox Christians. Later in the morning, the teens participated in a few service projects, including breaking up ice on walkways, cleaning the bookstore, and helping clean the church. They also received a church tour from Fr. Innocent, which helped them better understand the space and the meaning behind different parts of the church. Afterwards, the group enjoyed lunch at the monastery, followed by some free time at the Barn, which gave the teens a chance to relax, talk, and enjoy time together. In the afternoon, the teens split into boys’ and girls’ discussion groups.

 

The girls’ discussion was led by Matushka Katia Kallaur and Matushka Natasha Ganson and focused on relationships. They talked about making new friends and surrounding themselves with godly friends who encourage them in their faith. They also discussed friendships with boys, how to maintain healthy and respectful relationships, and how to discern the qualities of a good future spouse. The discussion also emphasized the importance of being gracious and thoughtful so as not to hurt others or lead them into temptation.

 

The boys’ discussion was led by Fr. Ephraim Wilmarth and focused on free will and making the Orthodox faith their own. They talked about how deeply God loves us and desires to work with and within us, but that we must freely choose Him. The boys reflected on the transition into adulthood and the responsibilities and pressures that come with it, including resisting peer pressure and recognizing how small choices can lead down a slippery slope. The discussion also touched on how thoughts can grow into actions and passions if we are not careful, and the danger of turning things—ideas, interests, or activities—into idols. Finally, they talked about stepping into manhood through responsibility, education, work, and preparing one day to support a family.

 

Saturday evening, the youth attended the All-Night Vigil, where many also took the opportunity to go to Confession.

 

On Sunday morning, the youth attended Divine Liturgy, followed by lunch and a talk from Fr. John Boddecker.

 

Fr. John gave an inspiring and engaging presentation on wisdom from the Book of Proverbs. He spoke about the importance of being genuine and not presenting different versions of ourselves depending on who we are with. He explained what true wisdom is, why it matters, and why listening to the wisdom of our elders is so valuable. He also encouraged the youth to choose godly friends who lift them up rather than pull them down. Fr. John spoke about the power of words—especially on social media—and reminded the youth to be careful about saying things online that they would never say to someone face-to-face. Throughout his talk, he shared many humorous and relatable stories from his own young adulthood that made the message especially memorable.

 

Thank you again for entrusting your teens to us. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to grow in their faith."