A Time for Fellowship and Renewal: OCA Clergy and Clergy Wives Retreats Announced for 2026
By Archpriest Nicholas Solak, Director, Office of Pastoral Life – Orthodox Church in America
In 2026, the Orthodox Church in America’s Office of Pastoral Life will host two in-person gatherings to strengthen the hearts of those who serve the Church:
- Clergy Retreat, September 28–October 1, 2026
- Clergy Wives Retreat, July 27–30, 2026
Both retreats will draw clergy and clergy wives from across the Church for several days of prayer, fellowship, and renewal.
The Heart of the Gathering
The Clergy Retreat is envisioned as a time of genuine fellowship and renewal—where priests gather to rest and rediscover the joy of shared life in Christ amid the rigors of parish ministry. Freed from the responsibility of leading, they are invited simply to pray, worship, and be present with one another—recovering the peace and companionship that sustain their life of service.
In this setting of trust and hospitality, they gain wisdom from one another, find fresh perspective for their pastoral work, and strengthen both their personal and priestly lives. The retreat will focus on restoring balance, rekindling vocation, and nurturing the deep bonds that sustain ministry over time.
A First for Clergy Wives
The Clergy Wives Retreat offers a time of fellowship, rest, and renewal—where clergy wives gather to rediscover the joy of shared life in Christ. Freed for a few days from the expectations and quiet responsibilities of parish and family life, they are invited to pray, reflect, and be present with one another in grace. In this space of hospitality and understanding, they find renewed strength, companionship, and gratitude for the sacred work they share.
Through shared prayer, open conversation, and meaningful connection, participants will reflect on the blessings and challenges of their ministry, drawing wisdom and encouragement from one another’s experience.
Rooted in the Life of the Church
These retreats express the best of what the Orthodox Church in America seeks to foster: a community of faith that is connected, prayerful, and life-giving. Rather than focusing on “identity,” these gatherings aim to deepen a shared sense of belonging in Christ and in the Church’s mission—renewing those who serve so that they may continue their ministry with peace, clarity, and love.
Designed for an Exceptional Experience
Both retreats are being carefully designed to offer an exceptional experience—spiritually enriching, pastorally relevant, and personally restorative. From the moment participants arrive, each aspect of the gathering will invite them to rest, reconnect, and rediscover the joy of their vocation.
Thoughtful attention is being given to the rhythm of the days: time for prayer and worship, unhurried meals, meaningful conversation, and moments of genuine stillness. Each retreat will feature high-quality speakers and facilitators chosen for their pastoral depth, wisdom, and ability to create a space of trust and grace.
Looking Ahead
The Office of Pastoral Life is committed to making these retreats accessible and of the highest quality, offering participants an experience worthy of their sacred calling. Further details and registration information will be announced on the Orthodox Church in America website.
About the Office of Pastoral Life
The Orthodox Church in America’s Office of Pastoral Life supports the well-being of clergy and their families, the foundation of parish life across North America. Believing the health of the Church is inseparable from the health of her clergy, the Office offers programs that build resilience, connection and pastoral joy. Programs include Thriving in Ministry peer-learning groups, Financial Health Initiatives, quarterly Synaxis Gatherings, National Clergy Retreats and Clergy Wives Ministry. In partnership with bishops, dioceses, parishes and our generous donors, the Office of Pastoral Life helps create sustainable conditions in which priests, deacons and their families of the Orthodox Church in America can flourish spiritually, vocationally and personally through every season of parish ministry.