Youth of the Archeparchy Gather for Online Retreat on Great Lent and Sacred Scripture

On Friday, March 13, an online retreat was held for the youth of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia on the topic “Great Lent and Its Biblical Foundations,” organized by the Youth Ministry Office. The retreat was led by Fr. Andriy Chornopyskyi, Ph.D. in Biblical Theology. Drawing on ancient texts and the canon of Sacred Scripture, the priest explained and explored the following themes:

1. The concept and types of fasting;

2. The understanding of fasting according to the meanings of key biblical terminology;

3. Fasting as a path to loosening our attachments to creation and strengthening our relationship with the Creator;

4. Fasting as a way of drawing closer to God and as a source of spiritual joy and peace.

This helped the participants understand the roots of fasting, its original meaning, its historical development, and its relevance to their lives today.

The retreat was conducted in Ukrainian and English. 35 young people from different parts of our Archeparchy participated in this event, as well as participants from the Eparchies of Chicago and Stamford, representatives of monastic communities, and seminarians.