Serbian Midwest Diocese Shares Photos from Winter Youth Retreat
One of the youth receives Holy Unction from Bishop Serafim. Photo: Youth of the New Gracanica - Midwest Diocese/Facebook
THIRD LAKE, IL — The 2025 Winter Youth Retreat was recently held at New Gracanica Monastery, where participants gathered in prayer and fellowship. A Holy Unction service was celebrated and presided over by His Grace Bishop Serafim, together with clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese from the Chicago Metropolitan Area.
As previously reported by UOJ, the event included:
- Daily prayer and Divine Liturgy
- Discussions and workshops led by clergy and guest speakers
- Fellowship activities and reflections
- Opportunities for confession and spiritual guidance
- Winter fun and community building
- Participants stayed on the monastery grounds, fully immersed in the life of the Church alongside peers who share their faith and values
Photos from the event can be found here.
Read also
UOJ-USA Launching New Editorial Podcast
The weekly Thursday program will feature long-form conversations between staff and invited guests. This follows the recent launch of the Orthodox Dispatch news podcast.
Holy Virgin Cathedral Hosts Retreat on Hieromonk Seraphim Rose
Lenten retreat in San Francisco will examine the life and legacy of Hieromonk Seraphim of Platina.
Report: 742 Religious Sites Damaged in Ukraine Since 2022
New data show hundreds of religious sites across Ukraine damaged during four years of war.
Metr. Onuphry Calls for Fidelity to Pure Orthodox Faith
Metr. Onuphry urged the faithful to preserve pure Orthodox doctrine and live their faith authentically.
OCU Cleric Targets Businessman Over UOC Church Support
OCU cleric Roman Grishchuk calls for a boycott of businessman Andriy Biba over support for UOC church construction.
Lenten Reflections Featured in New WORD Magazine Issue
The WORD Magazine’s March–April issue offers Lenten reflection and Church news in an accessible mobile format.