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20th Annual CLERGY WIVES’ RETREAT

Parish Activities
The Ukrainian Pavilion at Carabram	St. Elias Corn Roast	Skating on the St. Elias Pond after Liturgy	20th Annual Clergy Wives’ Retreat

In November of 1983, twelve women gathered at the old St. Elias Church in Brampton, for the very first Eparchial Clergy Wives’ Retreat. So great was the need and so positive the response, that not a year has passed without this meeting of women - wives of our Eparchy’s priests, deacons, sub-deacons and candidates for ordination.

Women from other eparchies and local Orthodox parishes were also welcomed at these annual days of renewal which were hosted at various parishes in the greater Toronto and Niagara regions, and several times at Mt. Mary Retreat Centre in Ancaster. These days of recollection have given women, who share so intimately in their husbands’ ministries and indeed live out vocations of their own, the opportunity to attend to their own unique, often neglected spiritual needs and to offer each other support.

It was appropriate that the 20th annual retreat took place at Brampton’s new St. Elias Church. Twenty-seven women travelled from as far away as Chicago, Nanaimo, B.C., Windsor, and Ottawa. Others came from the neighbouring cities of St. Catherine's, Kitchener, Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, Orangeville, Pickering, Stoney Creek, and Toronto to hear how the title “Spring Fashions for the Fall” would be reflected in the spiritual lessons of the day. The creative title, chosen by the retreat master, Hieromonk Taras Kraychuk, was blessed by God; the November Saturday began with unseasonably spring like warmth.

A prayerfully sung Moleben to the Holy Spirit set the tone for the day. The nave of the church became the vessel in which Fr. Taras began to unravel for the participants, the mystery of the whimsical title.

In his usual gentle manner, Father related Old and New Testament passages to underscore the dignity of woman and explained how woman is always connected with the intimate relationship between Christ and humanity.

Moments of quiet prayer and reflection were woven into the day and participants were encouraged to pray for each other, that each might be strengthened in her commitment to live the life of holiness to which all are called. The intellectually stimulating and spiritually nourishing lessons and prayers were concluded with a special blessing from Fr. Taras.

Proceeding to the church hall for a specially prepared dinner honouring the 20th Anniversary, some women were joined by husbands and family members. The day ended by joining the St. Elias Parish community for Vespers (Vechirnia) in the serene atmosphere of the candle-lit church. Spiritually renewed and rejuvenated women returned to their homes and families to continue God's work in their communities. With God’s grace and the continued blessing of our good bishop, + Cornelius, they will meet again next fall, perhaps even wearing their “spring fashions”!