December 10, 2011
Miami, FL: The Topics of Orthodox Psychotherapy and Dependency were Discussed at the Pastoral Conference

The second day of the Winter Pastoral Conference was dedicated to discussion on the topic of an Orthodox approach to psychotherapy and dependency. The discussion began with a lecture from keynote speaker Archimandrite Meletios (Webber – rector of St. John of Shanghai Monastery in Manton, CA), who spoke about Orthodox psychotherapy and the importance of implementing Orthodox disciplines in the process of drug addiction recovery. The second lecture was given by Deacon Christophe Lepoutre (cleric of Holy Virgin Protection Mission in Chattanooga, TN), on the topic of co-dependency.

Both lectures were well received by conference participants. "I am incredibly pleased that, for the first time in our history, the issues surrounding dependency have been discussed to this degree," said Priest Vadim Arefiev.  "Essentially the entire conference has been dedicated to this topic. For someone who has worked with drug addicts since 2002, this is just what I was waiting for! What I heard from Fr. Meletios was very important for my personal spiritual life and for the life of our community."

Both lectures will be available in audio and video format through the Pastoral Resources Program on the diocesan website in the near future.

In the second half of the day, Archpriest Serge Lukianov ran a seminar on liturgics.

"With all the different liturgical traditions in the Orthodox Church, it is easy for a priest to get mixed up," said Priest Steven Webb. "This seminar was particularly helpful, because it gave us an opportunity to ask questions for which answers are not readily available in print or on the Internet. I learned many things about our ROCOR liturgical traditions and now I feel as though I am on the same page as my brothers in Christ."

The day ended in prayer as the clergy read their Communion rule together and then prayed at the Vespers and Matins service, which was sung by a clergy male choir.

Republication of materials must include a reference to: 
"Eastern American Diocese www.eadiocese.org."

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese