Young Adults Explore Ways to Live an Orthodox LIFE

Manton, CA –Young adults from across the diocese gathered at St. John’s Monastery here to experience practical, personal, and monastic encounters with our Lord, Jesus Christ. The event, held June 14-20 this year, is an annual retreat called Orthodox LIFE School. Participants follow the daily schedule of the monastics, participating in their daily cycle of liturgical services and work. They also gather for spiritual discussions and presentations led by guest clergy and laity.

According to Hieromonk Innocent, Superior of the Monastery, the brotherhood of St. John’s established “the Orthodox LIFE program as a setting to give Orthodox young adults an opportunity to deepen their spiritual lives, make friends, and learn how to serve the Church and be a witness in the world.”

Participants consider the challenges and opportunities faced by Orthodox Christians in today’s society, identifying ways of supporting one another, even across great distances, in taking up our crosses to follow Christ. “I loved my experience here and honestly would love to come back,” one participant remarked, adding, “The classes and services were very spiritually enlightening for me and it was super nice to…