Русская Версия

May 24, 2010
Middlebrook, VA: A Women’s Retreat was held at All Saints of North America Church

On Saturday, May 15, forty women from across the state of Virginia took part in a day-long spiritual retreat hosted by All Saints of North America Church in Middlebrook, VA. The retreat centered around talks given by both Mother Andrea and Mother Anna of St. Nicholas Monastery in North Fort Myers, FL. The main talk given by Mother Andrea was entitled "Reality Check: Are you Living in Reality?" She focused on the true reality of the Church, spiritual life, and God, in contrast to the very hectic and false ‘reality’ of this life. She hopes to soon write a book on this subject, saying, "This talk today is only the beginning of a very deep subject!" Her second talk was on "Icons." Here she pointed out details of some specific icons and also discussed the true reality of all icons.

Mother Anna, who is originally from Optina in Russia, talked about her life in Optina and also showed a very beautiful DVD about daily life in and around the monastery. Copies of the Optina DVD and all talks are available in the Eastern American Diocesan Library.

After the deep spiritual discussions, there was a craft time, where the women could choose from several different items to make and take home. Mother Andrea provided most of the craft supplies and ideas, which ranged from small decorated wooden boxes that could be painted and paper icons applied, to jewelry, bookmarks and painted glass bottles.

The women were also treated to a light breakfast, sumptuous lunch and small snack, all made and served by the men of the church.

Lastly, to round out a perfectly wonderful day, the women celebrated evening Vespers together in the church, surrounded by many large and beautiful icons and relics brought by the nuns from the monastery.

All Saints of North America Church hopes to continue this event yearly, by inviting speakers to come and enlighten Orthodox women in the spiritual life. We thank everyone who helped make this retreat a success.

Matushka Alexandra Moses

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese