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
Ukrainian Pastor Calls for “Re-Baptism” of UOC Faithful
Ukrainian pastor Andriy Tyshchenko urged UOC believers to undergo “re-baptism” as a necessary means of breaking ties with Russia, while also claiming infant baptisms are invalid.
Met. Anthony: Unification with OCU Impossible Under Canon Law
Met. Anthony stated that unification with the OCU is impossible under canon law, as it arose from schismatic structures and was merely legalized, not reconciled.
Pat. Daniel of Romania Highlights the Sacred Role of Family
Speaking at St. Mary Monastery in Urlați, the Romanian Patriarch reflected on the Gospel reading for the day, emphasizing Christ’s mission of salvation, the sanctifying power of His presence, and the vital role of both parents in the Christian family.
Serbian Midwest Diocese Shares Photos from Winter Youth Retreat
The retreat was recently head at the New Gracanica Monastery in Illinois.
Orthodox Church Welcomes 210 New Faithful in Kolwezi
More than 200 catechumens were baptized in Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting the continued growth of Orthodox Christianity in the region.
Primate of the Church of Cyprus Defends Removal of Met. Tychikos
Abp. Georgios said the deposition of Met. Tychikos was a painful but necessary step to stop “morbid fanaticism” and preserve unity in the Church of Cyprus.