Metr. Saba Urges Creation of Retreat Centers for the Faithful

Photo: Metropolitan Saba Esper/Facebook

ENGLEWOOD, NJ — Metr. Saba (Isper) has called on the faithful of the Antiochian Archdiocese to establish parish-based retreat houses, or “Bethany Houses,” to address the growing spiritual, emotional, and psychological strain of modern life. In a pastoral encyclical, the Metropolitan reflected on his own retreat experience in Lebanon and emphasized the Orthodox tradition of renewal through prayer, silence, and communal life.

Citing widespread exhaustion, anxiety, and depression, Metr. Saba stressed that the Church must expand pastoral care beyond preaching to include organized spiritual retreats for small groups in quiet, natural settings. Such retreats, he said, should be accessible, affordable, and centered on prayer, Scripture, silence, and fellowship.

Recalling a retreat house he founded in Syria during his tenure in Hauran, Metr. Saba urged capable and generous faithful in North America to establish similar centers, envisioning them as places of healing, renewal, and deeper communion with Christ.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Metr. Saba warned against uncritical viewing of religious films. 

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