OCA NewsOCA News2026-06-06T16:56:54ZCopyright (c) 2026, The Orthodox Church in America. All rights reserved.Orthodox Church in Americatag:oca.org,2026-06-06:/newsFinancial Health Initiative Begins Second Cohort with Expanded Participationtag:oca.org,2026:/news/231022026-06-06T10:54:00Z2026-06-06T16:56:54ZOrthodox Church in Americawebteam@oca.org
The Office of Pastoral Life of the Orthodox Church in America has launched the second cohort of the Financial Health Initiative, a program designed to support the financial well-being and stability of its clergy households.
Cohort 2 began June 1, 2026, with 36 clergy households participating from across the Orthodox Church in America. Forty-five households applied for the second cohort, exceeding the program’s original capacity of 30 households. Additional fundraising allowed the Office of Pastoral Life to expand the cohort and welcome six more households, while nine households remain on the wait list.
The Financial Health Initiative, or FHI, is part of the broader work of the Office of Pastoral Life to strengthen and support clergy and their families. Through the program, participating clergy households receive structured financial education, budgeting tools, access to financial coaching, and a $5,000 incentive grant. The program is intended to help clergy households develop stronger financial practices, increase clarity around household finances, and take practical steps toward long-term financial stability.
“Clergy households carry real responsibilities, both in the parish and at home,” said Father Nicholas Solak, Director of the Office of Pastoral Life. “The Financial Health Initiative is one way the Church can offer practical, concrete support that touches daily life. Financial health is not separate from pastoral life. When clergy households are more stable, more confident, and better equipped to make faithful decisions, that strengthens the priest, the family, and the parish community they serve.”
The launch of Cohort 2 follows lessons learned during Cohort 1, which began in 2025. Feedback from the first cohort helped the Office of Pastoral Life and the Financial Health Initiative team refine the program and continue developing a model of support that is both practical and responsive to the realities faced by clergy families.
The strong response to Cohort 2 reflects the importance of this work and underscores the value of practical formation in financial literacy, planning, and household money management.
“We are grateful that we were able to include more households than originally planned,” Father Nicholas said. “That is a sign of good stewardship and of the generosity of those who believe in this work. At the same time, the remaining waitlist reminds us that this need is real and that continued support for clergy households remains an important part of the Church’s life.”
Father Stephen Vernak, Director of the Financial Health Initiative, noted that the program is designed to provide both structure and encouragement.
About the Office of Pastoral Life
The Orthodox Church in America’s Office of Pastoral Life supports the well-being of clergy and their families, the foundation of parish life across North America. Believing the health of the Church is inseparable from the health of her clergy, the Office offers programs that build resilience, connection and pastoral joy. Programs include Thriving in Ministry peer-learning groups, Financial Health Initiatives, quarterly Synaxis Gatherings, Retreats and Clergy Wives Ministry. In partnership with bishops, dioceses, parishes and our generous donors, the Office of Pastoral Life helps create sustainable conditions in which priests, deacons and their families of the Orthodox Church in America can flourish spiritually, vocationally and personally through every season of parish ministry.
]]>His Eminence Archbishop Michael Meets with Serbian Patriarch Porfirije During St. Nikolai Pilgrimagetag:oca.org,2026:/news/231012026-06-05T22:11:00Z2026-06-05T22:59:12ZOrthodox Church in Americawebteam@oca.orgPhoto credit: Serbian Orthodox Church Diocese of Eastern America
On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, His Eminence Archbishop Michael of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije at the St. Sava Cathedral in Belgrade for the feast of Ss. Constantine and Helen.
Following the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness hosted His Eminence and the clergy and faithful traveling with him at the parish house for a reception.
Archbishop Michael is currently in Serbia for a pilgrimage sponsored by St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, which traces the life, ministry, and legacy of Saint Nikolai Velimirovich, who spent the final years of his life at St. Tikhon’s Seminary in South Canaan, PA, where he served as professor and rector.
His Eminence expressed his gratitude for the blessing to concelebrate the Divine Liturgy with the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church and conveyed the personal greetings of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon. He also spoke with His Holiness about the pilgrimage, “In the Footsteps of Holy Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich,” taking place from June 2–13, 2026, in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the repose of St. Nikolai Velimirovich.
During the reception, His Eminence also spoke about the steady growth of Orthodox Christianity in North America. His Holiness and His Eminence emphasized the common calling of Orthodox Christians to bear authentic witness to the Gospel of Christ, and noted that dialogue marked by truth and love remains one of the most important expressions of that witness.
Also present at the meeting were Archpriest John Parker, Dean of St. Tikhon’s Seminary, Archpriest Danilo Degyansky, Archpriest John Vitko, Archpriest Josiah Trenham, Protodeacon Ephrem Rivers, Protopresbyter Đorđe Stojisavljević, Head of the Office of the Serbian Patriarch, Deacon Nikola Kostić, Secretary of the Patriarch’s Office, Deacon Vladimir Jović, and Mr. Boris Sekulić.
]]>His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon Celebrates Pentecost Services at St. Nicholas Cathedraltag:oca.org,2026:/news/230972026-06-02T22:30:00Z2026-06-02T22:55:55ZOrthodox Church in Americawebteam@oca.org
On Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon celebrated services for the Feast of Pentecost at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, DC.
On Saturday evening, His Beatitude presided at the Festal Vigil. The following morning, May 31, His Beatitude presided at the celebration of the hierarchical Divine Liturgy, followed by the Vespers of Pentecost with the Kneeling Prayers.
Concelebrating with His Beatitude were Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America and Dean of St. Nicholas Cathedral; Priest David Bozeman, Secretary of the Orthodox Church in America; and Archpriest Valery Shemchuk. The responses were sung by the cathedral choir under the direction of Mr. Kevin Basil Fritts.
During the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude delivered the homily, reflecting on the descent of the Holy Spirit bringing the “the end of time, the fullness of the ages.”
He said, “According to the Book of Acts, ‘divided tongues, as of fire’ came to rest upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost. They all received the same fire – and yet the tongues were divided: each received the gifts of the Spirit suited to his particular mission and vocation. So it is with us. Each of us has received a portion of the Spirit according to our need: choir member, reader, deacon, priest, monastic, parent, child, witness for Christ in the world.”
During the Liturgy, His Beatitude, on behalf of the Holy Synod of Bishops, elevated Priest David Bozeman to the dignity of Archpriest and awarded Archpriest Valery Shemchuk the right to wear the jeweled cross.
Following the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude presided at the Vespers of Pentecost with the Kneeling Prayers.
]]>Schedule Available for 2026 Saint Herman Pilgrimagetag:oca.org,2026:/news/230822026-05-31T09:51:00Z2026-05-31T13:25:32ZOrthodox Church in Americawebteam@oca.org
The Diocese of Sitka and Alaska has released the schedule for the 56th Annual Saint Herman Pilgrimage, to be held August 7–9, 2026, in Kodiak, Alaska. Faithful from across the Orthodox Church in America are invited to gather in prayer and fellowship as the Church honors the memory of Saint Herman of Alaska.
The pilgrimage will begin on Friday evening, August 7, with an Akathist to Saint Herman at 6:00 PM at Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Cathedral, followed by a soup meal and fellowship. Boat details for the pilgrimage to Spruce Island will also be provided that evening.
On Saturday, August 8, pilgrims will depart for Spruce Island, weather permitting, where a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at Sts. Sergius and Herman of Valaam Chapel. After the Divine Liturgy, pilgrims will enjoy in a beach picnic before returning to Kodiak. The day will conclude with the All-Night Vigil for Saint Herman, beginning at 5:00 PM at Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Cathedral.
The pilgrimage will conclude on Sunday, August 9, with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at 9:00 AM, followed by a banquet at the Afognak Center.
Additional pilgrimage information, including packing details, accessibility information, service locations, and donation information, is available from the Diocese of Sitka and Alaska: odosa.org/news/2026sthermanpilgrimage
Questions may be directed to the Communications Secretary of the Diocese of Sitka and Alaska at commsecretary@odosa.org.
]]>His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon Presides Over the 2026 Commencement Exercises of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminarytag:oca.org,2026:/news/230832026-05-30T09:54:00Z2026-06-01T16:24:46ZOrthodox Church in Americawebteam@oca.orgThe seminaries of the Orthodox Church in America celebrated their 2026 commencement exercises in May. His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon presided at the commencement exercises of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, offering words of encouragement and his archpastoral blessing to the graduates, their families, and the seminary communities. St. Herman Seminary in Kodiak, Alaska, also marked its commencement exercises with the tonsuring of new readers and the recognition of students and members of the seminary community.
St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary
St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary hosted its 87th Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
The celebration began that morning with His Beatitude presiding at the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the Three Hierarchs Chapel. Concelebrating with His Beatitude were His Grace Bishop John, Auxiliary Bishop of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America and SVOTS Assistant Professor for Pastoral Theology; His Grace Bishop Nikodhim of Boston and the Albanian Archdiocese; His Grace Bishop Benedict of Hartford and the Diocese of New England; and His Grace Bishop Vasily of San Francisco and the Diocese of the West. Also serving were Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, and Archpriest John Parker, Dean of St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.
Following the Divine Liturgy, Archpriest Alexander Rentel, Chapel Rector, welcomed the bishops, visiting clergy, and guests to Three Hierarchs Chapel.
In the afternoon, the seminary community returned to the chapel for a Molieben of Thanksgiving. At its conclusion, the clergy, faculty, and graduates processed into the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium for the Commencement Exercises.
Guests included His Grace Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church’s Northeast American Diocese; His Grace Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan of the Armenian Church’s Eastern Diocese of America; the Rev. Mardiros Chevian, Dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary; this year’s commencement speaker, Charles Ajalat, J.D., Hon. J.C.D., and his wife Marilee; family members; friends; and members of the SVOTS Board of Trustees.
The Class of 2026 was comprised of eighteen graduates: fourteen graduated with a Master of Divinity degree, one with a Master of Arts degree, and three with a Master of Theology degree. The graduates were from various dioceses of the Orthodox Church in America, the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Eastern America, the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, and the dioceses of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in North America and India.
During the ceremony, Priest John Reavis, class salutatorian, and Priest Nathan Jekel, class valedictorian, offered addresses on behalf of the graduating class.
Charles Ajalat, J.D., Hon. J.C.D. delivered this year’s commencement address. A former trustee of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, he also served as Chancellor of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America and has founded multiple Orthodox organizations and initiatives.
At the conclusion of the commencement address, Dr. Tudorie presented him with an icon of St. Vladimir on behalf of the Seminary community, in recognition of the support and generosity he has shown the Seminary over many years.
During the commencement exercises, St. Vladimir’s seminarians honored Zachariah Mandell, instructor in Liturgical Music, with the 2026 St. Macrina Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award is selected each year by student vote. Emil Peter, a graduate and outgoing President of the Student Council, announced the award and presented an icon of St. Macrina to Mr. Mandell. The icon was painted by a member of the graduating class, the Priest Daniel Werner.
The graduates also presented two gifts to the Seminary: a new cutting board for the Prothesis table at Three Hierarchs Chapel and a cross for the St. Thomas Malankara Chapel.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Metropolitan Tikhon, President of the Seminary, offered his closing remarks, reminding the graduates of the unique moment facing their ministries.
“Orthodoxy in America is growing, genuinely visibly, in ways that were not predictable even a decade ago. … Priests who are serving are stretched, doing the work of two and sometimes three men available at all hours to all manner of need. … The founders of this Seminary could not have imagined the church you are graduating into. They planted in soil they could not see. Every priest who has gone before you would say the same. The weight is real. The weight is worth carrying and you will not carry it alone. … Go down with humility so that you may be lifted up by Christ and receive the gifts that he bestows on all of us.”
St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary
His Beatitude likewise presided over the 84th Annual Commencement Exercises at St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
On the evening prior, Friday, May 22, students and members of the seminary community gathered in the Archangel Michael Convocation Hall. Also present were His Eminence Archbishop Michael of New York and New Jersey, Rector of the Seminary, and His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest, who serves on the St. Tikhon’s Seminary Board.
The commencement address delivered by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Kenya from the Patriarchate of Alexandria. His Eminence was unable to attend in person due to international travel restrictions, but offered a message to the graduates where he spoke on the need for the graduates to maintain faithfulness, community, love, and evangelical zeal as they enter a life of service to Christ’s Church.
His Beatitude offered his own remarks following, where he reminded the graduates of the life of prayer cultivated at St. Tikhon’s Seminary during their studies.
On Saturday afternoon, the hierarchs, faculty, and trustees convened to recognize the graduating class. The Class of 2026 had two co-valedictorians, Priest Seraphim Crossman and Priest John Stiff. The valedictory address was delivered by Fr. John, who offered a reflection on the various pathways to ministry and the shared bond which is enjoyed by men entering the priesthood and future leadership roles in the Church.
Archpriest Nikolai Breckenridge, President of the Alumni Association, presented the Alumnus of the Year Award to Archpriest Basil Stoyka of Lorain, OH, in recognition of his long ministry and many loving years of pastoral service.
The Class of 2026 chose Mr. David Getz, Assistant to the Dean, as this year’s recipient of the Father Alexander Atty Service Award, given annually to recognize exemplary sacrificial love within the St. Tikhon’s Seminary community. The award and commemorative icon were presented to David by his long-time friend, co-valedictorian Priest Seraphim Crossman.
His Beatitude and Archbishop Michael conferred a total of fourteen Master of Divinity degrees, twelve Certificates in Diaconal Formation, and ten Certificates in Clinical Pastoral Education.
Seven graduates – Priest Evan Ashmore, Mr. Joshua Brown, Priest Seraphim Crossman, Priest John Jovel, Mr. Kuriakose Kurian, Christopher Mescher, Priest Pedro Sarsama, and Deacon Eugene Schreder – were awarded Honors for their theses and senior projects.
St. Herman Seminary
St. Herman Seminary in Kodiak, Alaska, held its 2026 commencement observance on Sunday, May 10, 2026.
During the commencement, His Eminence Archbishop Alexei of Sitka and Alaska tonsured three new readers at the seminary: Mr. Pavel Messenbrink, Mr. Andrei Denicola, and Mr. Nikolai Fisher.
Several students and members of the seminary community were also honored with merit awards in recognition of their diligence, giftedness, and faithful labor in service to the seminary and the people of Kodiak. Among those recognized was Matushka Rachel, the seminary’s Yup’ik language instructor, who concludes her service and enters retirement.
In his commencement address, His Eminence encouraged those who were tonsured and those who received Reader’s Certificates to continue nurturing their love for the Church and the faithful of Alaska, calling them to preserve the holy words, prayers, reverence, and piety of the Orthodox faith.
The Diocese of Sitka and Alaska also announced that all available spots for the 2026–2027 academic year at St. Herman Seminary have been filled.
The Orthodox Church in America offers congratulations to all those who completed their studies and formation at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, and St. Herman Seminary in 2026. May the Lord bless them, their families, and the communities they will serve in their ministries.
The faithful and parishes of the Orthodox Church in America are urged to intentionally pray for vocations and to support the seminaries, students, faculty, and their families. It is also vital to commit to financially support the three OCA seminaries as they continue the necessary work of providing exceptional education and spiritual formation for the future leaders of the Orthodox Church.
Parishes are reminded of the resolution approved at the 16th All-American Council in Seattle, which calls for parishes of the Orthodox Church in America to allocate 1% of their budget towards the support of these seminaries.
If you want to know more about supporting our seminaries, their work, or learn more about vocation and theological formation, seminary contact information is available here.
]]>Summer Conducting Lessons Registration Now Opentag:oca.org,2026:/news/230812026-05-28T19:48:00Z2026-05-28T19:58:52ZOrthodox Church in Americawebteam@oca.orgThe OCA Department of Liturgical Music and Translations is pleased to announce an opportunity this summer for intermediate and advanced level choir directors to take private conducting lessons with Dr. Peter Jermihov.
Those who are interested should complete the Registration Form and jermihovpeter@gmail.com with Dr. Jermihov at their earliest convenience.
The cost for an 8-week block of lessons is $600, with additional 4-week blocks available at $300 per block.
A recent testimonial from one of Dr. Jermihov’s students states:
“I thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from my time with Dr. Jermihov…. He was genuinely interested in me while providing applicable conducting techniques and insights related to my current situation as a small parish choir director.
Choir directors will find a wealth of wisdom and practical information with Dr. Jermihov. He definitely knows conducting and communicates this knowledge with genuine enthusiasm. Highly recommended!”
Other testimonials from previous students continue in a similar vein:
“[Dr. Jermihov] identified and then corrected some bad conducting habits that I had developed over the years.”
“Dr. Jermihov is helping me to develop a more advanced vocabulary of gestures to communicate with my choir.”
“Dr. Jermihov explains the core principles of conducting in a very clear and comprehensive way…. Most importantly, Dr. Jermihov is a very passionate teacher who has warm and friendly personality.”
Dr. Peter Jermihov is a life-long church musician, who has served as a choir director, chanter, teacher, composer and arranger, in a number of parishes in various jurisdictions, including the OCA, ROCOR, the Moscow Patriarchate, and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. His mission as a church musician is to bring beauty and professional competence to Divine Worship.
Jermihov holds the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Illinois at Urbana and studied orchestral conducting at the St. Petersburg Conservatory under Ilya Musin. He is founder and artistic director of the Society of Saint Romanos the Melodist, a not-for-profit corporation devoted to the furtherance of Orthodox culture in America. For a more complete description of Dr. Jermihov’s career, please visit www.peterjermihov.com or www.societyromanos.org.
]]>Pastoral Changes for March and April 2026 releasedtag:oca.org,2026:/news/230802026-05-28T19:44:00Z2026-05-28T19:47:20ZOrthodox Church in Americawebteam@oca.orgThe March and April 2026 “Pastoral Changes” — the official announcements of ordinations, assignments, releases, and related matters affecting the clergy of the Orthodox Church in America, as issued by the Office of the Chancellor, Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino — are now available.
Listings in the “Pastoral Changes” appear after they have been submitted to the OCA Chancery by their respective dioceses.
]]>2026 Diaconal Liturgical Practicum to be held in Parma, OHtag:oca.org,2026:/news/230742026-05-25T07:32:00Z2026-05-25T11:43:35ZOrthodox Church in Americawebteam@oca.org
With the blessing of the Holy Synod of Bishops, and at the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Diocese of the Midwest, the Diaconal Vocations Program of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) is pleased to announce that we will be offering a second Diaconal Liturgical Practicum this Summer: August 25-28, 2026, on the campus of Holy Trinity Church, Parma, OH.
The five-day program (two full days and two half days) will offer intense practical liturgical training for deacons and lay diaconal candidates. In addition to liturgical practice, sessions will also cover chanting and vocal technique and address teaching about the Orthodox faith.
This 20th annual Practicum is put on by the Orthodox Church in America’s Diaconal Vocations Program (DVP) and is highly recommended by the Holy Synod for participants in the Church’s program and other diaconal formation programs.
The Practicum is highly recommended for participants in the Church’s diaconal formation programs by the Holy Synod and is offered at the invitation of His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel, and with the blessing of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, with oversight by the Board of Theological Education of the Orthodox Church in America. This second session is being held in Parma, OH. Liturgical workshops are delivered by an experienced faculty, including Archpriest Kirill Sokolov, director of the Diaconal and Late Vocations of the Orthodox Church in America, Archpriest Gregory Ealy, and Subdeacon Dimitri Pletz.
Practical liturgical training for deacons and lay diaconal candidates will be centered on serving the Divine Liturgy and other services. Intensive workshops aim to provide participants with the skills needed to serve effectively in the Orthodox Church as an attentive server, deacon, or priest. Attention will be given to the liturgical patterns of movement that inform the entire rite of the Church. Participants will also receive guidance on concelebrations and hierarchical celebrations so that they can effectively prepare for such occasions. In addition to practicums, focused presentations by faculty will augment the deacon’s understanding of his place in the liturgical life of the Church and the deacon’s broader vocation as a symbol to the faithful of the diakonia of Christ our Lord. Instruction in speaking about the faith and vocal technique when chanting will also be offered.
Schedule
A welcome BBQ, prayer, and an opening session will launch the Practicum at 5 PM on Tuesday, August 25. The Practicum will conclude on Friday, August 28. Participants can plan on leaving around 1 PM to take flights from Cleveland in the afternoon.
Registration and Fee
The cost to register for the Ohio 2026 Diaconal Practicum is $450 and includes all meals throughout the practicum, but does not include transportation and/or lodging. Payment should be made upon completion of registration via the form below.
Setting
text
Parma, Ohio: Located just south of Cleveland, Parma offers visitors convenient access to one of the Midwest’s major metropolitan regions while retaining the character of a close-knit suburban community. Greater Cleveland is home to a rich cultural and religious heritage, with museums, parks, historic neighborhoods, and Lake Erie all within easy reach. Visitors traveling to Parma are served by Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), located approximately 15 miles from Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, with daily non-stop service from major domestic carriers. Parma’s central location and accessibility make it an ideal setting for fellowship, worship, and study in the heart of Northeast Ohio.
Holy Trinity Orthodox Church: Founded in 1963, Holy Trinity Orthodox Church of the Orthodox Church in America has long been known as a vibrant English-language Orthodox parish with a strong commitment to liturgical life, theological education, and hospitality. Situated on a spacious campus in Parma, the parish grew from the vision of six founding families and today serves a diverse and growing community from across Greater Cleveland. The church temple is beautifully adorned with traditional Orthodox iconography and provides a setting well suited for prayerful worship and rigorous liturgical training. Holy Trinity’s clergy and faithful are widely recognized for their dedication to Orthodox Christian outreach, sacred music, and education, making the parish an ideal host for gatherings focused on worship, learning, and fellowship. More information: Holy Trinity Orthodox Church
Accommodations
Room blocks have been secured at Embassy Suites by Hilton Cleveland Rockside at an event rate of $139/night. Participants are welcome to stay elsewhere as preferred.
Embassy Suites
5800 Rockside Woods Blvd N
Independence OH 44131
Group Name: Holy Trinity Orthodox Church
Group Code: XHT
Cutoff Date: July 28, 2026
Central Reservations Number: 1-800-315-1185
Important Notes:
The link should be copied and pasted into the browser as sometimes just clicking on the link can cause it to bring up an error page.
All reservations must be booked no later than July 28, 2026, in order to receive the negotiated rate.
There is a Top Golf right next door if anyone wants to bring clubs.
FAQs
We often receive questions from potential participants regarding ways to prepare for our Diaconal Liturgical Practicum. This section seeks to answer some of these “Frequently Asked Questions.”
I already registered for the Practicum in Santa Rosa this summer? Can I switch to the Ohio Practicum?
Yes! Simply request a refund from the Diocese of the West at chancery@dowoca.org and register (again) for this one.
I’m just entering the Diaconal Vocations Program. Should I attend?
The Holy Synod believes that everyone studying for the Diaconate should study and practice liturgics in a regular, organic fashion. Attending an annual summer program with experienced faculty and other DVP participants is a very effective aid in preparation for the Diaconate. You will “get something” from the program every year you attend, whether you are new, returning, or already ordained. Those who wish to serve as Deacons in the Orthodox Church in America are required to attend two Practicums.
I’ve been a deacon for some time. Is this for me?
Every deacon can benefit from participating in the fellowship, conciliar service, and indeed, a refresher course in liturgical practice. Experienced participants can be a great encouragement to those just beginning their journey to the diaconate. Past participants have described their diaconate as being refreshed after attending. If you are not sure whether you ought to register for the program, please e-mail Archpriest Kirill to discuss at dvp@oca.org.
How can I make myself ready for this Practicum?
Everyone comes to our program from different parishes and with different experiences. With that in mind, our practical training seeks to start at a level where everyone can participate and grow. Already-ordained deacons and future candidates are trained in ways appropriate to their experience. Participants can have the best experience by preparing in the following ways:
Seek the guidance of your parish priest and the director of your vocations program.
Experience worship actively.
Pay attention to the Divine Liturgy and other services of the Church in your parish.
Without getting “bogged down” in a book, follow the outline of the services in service books.
Try to anticipate the liturgical actions of the priest, deacon, and servers before they occur. Are there discernible patterns?
If you are not already a deacon, your priest may invite you to participate in the services as an altar server, reader, or choir member. Be obedient in these matters to your parish priest and try to grow in your abilities under his direction.
You may wish to seek the guidance of a skilled musician, such as your parish’s choir director, if you are inexperienced in church reading.
Above all, prayerful preparation by faithful participation in the divine services is key.
Come to the Practicum physically rested and mentally alert for a program that will be challenging but, we pray, rewarding.
Should I bring my own vestments?
We ask that deacons bring a complete set of gold vestments (stikharion, orarion, and cuffs) to ensure a good fit for serving. It is our practice that deacons vest fully for the reception of Holy Communion in the altar. We will provide vestments for those participants serving as subdeacons and servers but you may bring gold vestments if you prefer.
]]>Registration Now Open for 2026 Pastoral Retreattag:oca.org,2026:/news/230732026-05-22T19:26:00Z2026-05-22T19:31:12ZOrthodox Church in Americawebteam@oca.org
The Office of Pastoral Life of the Orthodox Church in America has announced registration is now open for its 2026 Pastoral Retreat, to be held September 29 through October 2, 2026, at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, IL.
This in-person gathering establishes a shared rhythm of prayer, collaborative learning, and meaningful conversation. These rhythms are often difficult to sustain amid the growing pace and activity of parish life today.
Set within a dedicated retreat environment, clergy are invited to slow down, listen carefully, and engage deeply with one another in a way that supports clarity, renewal, and perspective in priestly work.
]]>Registration Opens for 2026 Parish Development Forum to be Held in Palos Hills IL, July 9-11, 2026tag:oca.org,2026:/news/230712026-05-15T22:25:00Z2026-05-15T22:36:56ZOrthodox Church in Americawebteam@oca.org
The Diocese of the Midwest announced today that registration is now open for the 2026 Parish Development Forum. The Forum will be held from 1:00 PM on Thursday July 9 through noon on Saturday July 11 2026, at St. Luke’s Church in the Chicago suburb of Palos Hills IL. The Parish Development Forum is a clergy and laity conference dedicated to exploring the challenges facing contemporary Orthodox parishes, delivering actionable ideas and good practices valuable to parish leaders, and creating mutually supportive relationships among participants.
The American and Orthodox “Experiments”
“The 2026 Forum theme is “St. Tikhon’s Vision for the Church in America: An Experiment for Parish Life”, noted Archpriest Stephen Frase, Clergy Chairperson for the Forum. “This theme highlights the union of last year’s 100th anniversary of the repose of Saint Tikhon, Enlightener of North America, and this year’s 250th anniversary of the birth of the United States. Faithful to Orthodox Tradition, yet, adapted to a radically new social environment, St. Tikhon’s vision—an ecclesial experiment with similarities to the American experiment—emphasized English language worship, active lay ministry, conciliar parish and Church governance and leadership, a missional expansion of Orthodoxy through extensive parish planting, an emphasis on adult faith education and laying a foundation for a unified, local, self-governing Church in America. These principles continue to be significant for today’s American parishes.”
“The Parish Development Forum is a conference which encourages discussion of timely topics and discovery of practices used by healthy, vibrant Orthodox parishes,” said Joseph Kormos, Forum lay co-chairperson. “This is the twelfth Parish Development Forum. Past Forums have drawn parish leaders from most OCA Dioceses, the Antiochian Archdiocese, the Greek Archdiocese, Ukrainian Orthodox parishes in the US and Canada and others. The agenda will include keynote presentations, facilitated small group discussion, time to forge interparish connection and relationships and daily worship. Keynote contributors will include Prof. Scott Kenworthy, historian and author of a recent book on the life of St. Tikhon, Archpriest Alexander Rentel, former OCA Chancellor and Professor at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Father Nicholas Anton of the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops in America and others.”
First Parish Development Forum in Chicago
Fr. Paul Jannakos, Rector of host parish St. Luke’s Orthodox Church said, “This is the first time the Parish Development Forum has been held in the Chicago area. Our parishioners are looking forward to welcoming Orthodox Christians from the throughout the Midwest, across the OCA and our friends in other Orthodox jurisdictions. Our parish facilities and location provide an excellent conference setting—only 22 minutes from Chicago’s Midway Airport and ten minutes from I- 294. Over half of the OCA’s parishes are within a manageable drive of our location.”
Conference Registration – Early Bird Discount and Parish Group Discount
Registration is open to clergy and laity from any Orthodox jurisdiction. An “early bird” registration discount of $40 per attendee is available until June 26. After June 26 the registration fee will be $140 per attendee.
Parishes sending four or more attendees can receive a rebate on all attendees. Registration must be done online and is available here. Registration payment can be made by credit card only. To maintain an intimate setting for thoughtful exchange among attendees, Forum attendance will be limited to 80 persons.
