Dec 26, 2003 2 min read

St. George recently held the annual parish Nativity Fast Retreat on the Feast of the Entry of the Mother of the God in the Temple. The Divine Liturgy of the Feast was celebrated, followed by a full day of services, talks and discussion focusing on the Mother of God. Six Akathists to the Mother of God were spaced throughout the day. The Rev. Rodney Torbic gave a presentation entitled “Mary, Mother of God, Intersection of the Human and Divine.’ Church school coordinator Mildred Bezjak read two articles on the Mother of God, including on the Mother of God, Joy or All Who Sorrow. Additional participants included Sister Angelina, Mildred Belch, choir director Sonia Janson, Joseph Katusa, Marion Luteran, Nahdezda Rogish, Mary Trbovich and George Ben Gapen. Tom Hunter joined the participants for lunch.

The Akathists included Akathis to the Mother of God; Akathis to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children; Akathist to the Mother of God, Healer of Cancer; Akathist to the Mother of God, Joy of All Who Sorrow; Akathist to the Mother of God of the Inexhaustible Cup and Akathist to the Mother of God, To Our Lady of All Protection.’

Retreats are held at St. George during Great Lent and Nativity Fast.

The retreats supplement the weekly adult education classes and are part of a continuum of Christian education initiatives also including outdoor religious programs held during the summer at the parish picnic grounds.