Winter Youth Retreat

On Saturday December 27, 2025, a Winter Youth Retreat was held at the Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Milton, organized by the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada in collaboration with youth groups from across Ontario. Despite the cold and unfavourable weather, the retreat gathered a significant number of participants between the ages of 17 and 35, bearing witness to the strong interest of young people in spiritual life and fellowship within the Church.

The program began with the Invocation of the Holy Spirit, served by Protopresbyter Jovan Marjanac, Secretary of the Diocesan Administrative Board. Serving at the chanters’ stand were Fr. Milorad Delic, Fr. Dusko Markovic, and Fr. Marko Dimic, whose chanting contributed to a prayerful and communal atmosphere at the very beginning of the gathering.

Following this, the participants proceeded to the monastery guesthouse, where an introductory lecture was delivered. Afterwards, three smaller discussion groups were formed, each addressing different topics relevant to the spiritual life of young people. These sessions encouraged open dialogue and active participation from all attendees. Upon completion of the group discussions, everyone reconvened for a plenary session during which additional questions were raised and a lively, meaningful discussion took place.

The retreat was concluded with the celebration of Vespers, served by Protosyngel Sava, a brother of the monastery, in the prayerful presence of His Eminence Metropolitan Mitrofan. The Metropolitan, together with the clergy present, participated in the chanting, giving this gathering a special spiritual character. At the conclusion of the service, Metropolitan Mitrofan offered his archpastoral blessing to all those in attendance.