Materials:

Activity:
Remind participants to take out their pages with their scripture affirmation for the person they chose. Instruct participants to sit in a circle (either in chairs or on the floor) and distribute unlit candles to each participant.

Light your own candle and begin the activity by saying:

“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify our Father in heaven!” Over the course of this retreat we have discussed, looked for, and tried to acquire that light and all its many ways it is reflected. Jesus Christ is the Light from Light, the True God from True God. And He wants to share His light with each and every one of us.

When we began, we began with a single light shining, like this candle. As the weekend has gone on, that light has grown among us. And when we leave here that light can go with each one of us and become many lights.

Over the weekend you have prayed for one other person at this retreat. You may or may not have known him or her, but you came to know him/her better, thought about that person’s gifts and strengths and taken the time to find away to encourage him/her to let the light shine through those gifts and strengths.

Instruct participants that you are going to light one person’s candle. He or she, without ever saying the name of the person, will read the scripture quote they chose, state why they chose that scripture for him/her, and light that person’s candle. Again remind participants that they are to do this without ever saying the person’s name.

The person who just received the light then reads the scripture he or she chose, says why he/she chose that scripture, and lights the candle of the person for whom he/she has been praying. This then continues until everyone has read their scripture and has received the light.

In the event that someone receives the light that already has read his/her scripture, he/she simply lights the candle of the person to his/her right. In the event that that person’s candle is already lit, he/she lights the candle of the next person to the right who has not received the light.

If people had to leave before the end of the retreat, this is the time to read the affirmations they gave you before they left and give them to the appropriate person.

When everyone has read their quotes, the group leader then reads the scripture he/she chose for the group, explains why he/she chose it, and hands out the note cards with that scripture written on it.

As we began the room was pretty dark. Look at it now. As we shared the light with someone we had to be careful to hold our light with their candle long enough for their flame to take hold. When one person’s light went out, we offered him/her ours to rekindle it. During the retreat we established that no one is a Christian alone. Let us remember the bond we have created with each other this weekend. When our light flickers or seems extinguished, let us look to each other for strength and assurance.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” This is the commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ for those of us who receive His light. Now that each of us holds within our hands the light of Christ, let us let it shine and not keep it hidden! Let us remember that as we are looking for meaning and purpose in our lives.

Have participants place their candles before the Icon of Christ, where they can remain burning as a prayer and offering back to the Lord. Close with the following short devotion:

Know that the light of Christ is within you! If we ever lose sight of it we can always return to Him in prayer and ask it to be reawakened within us! We can ask others to help us. But for tonight (or today) and for the rest of our lives, let us take this light inside of us, keep it safe, and guard it well, so that it will be there whenever we need it most and will glorify our Father who is in heaven. May God bless these prayers and all of us, His servants, for He is good and loves mankind! Amen!

Option 2 Come Receive the Light
Note: If this retreat is held as part of Lent, this option may seem out of place. You may wish to replace the Paschal Introduction with the verse from Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts: “The Light of Christ illumines all!” Likewise, other times of the year provide similar resources.)

This closure may be done the night before Liturgy or even in the morning before Liturgy.

Activity:

Gather in the church if possible. If the lamp stand unifying symbol was used during the retreat it should be brought into the church.
Each person enters the church in darkness with an unlit candle.
The lamp from the lamp stand is brought out as the priest/ retreat leader says the Paschal introduction (Byzantine Tradition) and begins this devotional talk:

“Come receive the light from the light that is never overtaken by night and glorify Christ Who is risen from the dead.” With these words Orthodox Christians for almost two thousand years have greeted the holiest day of the year: Pascha, the day of the Lord’s Resurrection. On that night the Church begins in darkness but by the end is illumined with every candle and every heart in it.

Over the course of this retreat we have looked for and into that light and all its many ways of being reflected. Jesus Christ is the Light from Light, the True God from True God. And He wants to share His light with each and every one of us.

When we began, we began with a single light shining (on this lamp stand). But when we leave here that light can go with each one of us and become many lights. Will you come and receive the light that can never be overtaken by night?

If it is in your heart to come and receive the light of Christ, maybe for the first time, maybe as one of many, to rekindle the fire of faith that can so easily be snuffed out in this darkened world, then do not hold yourself back from the Lord.

Reflect over the many experiences we have shared, both in discussions and in actions together.

If you are ready, come forward with your candle and ask (either silently or audibly if the group is mature enough) Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior for the light that you need. If you have specific need or request, do not be afraid to ask Him for help. He knows how to give good things to those He loves, and He loves all of you.

As the participants come forward to light their candle, they may offer their pray audibly or silently. Be sure to explain that option if you wish to give it (otherwise most people will not speak out loud). Then they hold their candles in their hands just as at Pascha or other special Vigil services.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” This is the commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ for those of us who would receive His light. Now that each of us holds within our hands the light of Christ, let us let it shine, and not keep it hidden!

At this point, begin leading the group out of the church and in procession around the church (if possible). During this procession the group may be led in the singing of appropriate hymns such as “Thy Resurrection” or “Christ is Risen,” but it depends on the group. A group of teens may feel awkward about the whole thing, so you will want to do something that in true Orthodox spirit is both reverent and joyful. It is OK for this to be fun!

Have someone turn the lights on in the church while the procession is going on so that when the group returns it is joyous and festive. If you would like to involve the parents, have them join the procession at some point or wait for their kids with open arms at its conclusion.

When they return to the church, have them place their candles before the Icon of Christ, where they can remain burning as an offering of light back to the Lord. Close with the following short devotion:

Know that the light of Christ is within you! If we ever lose sight of it we can always return to Him in prayer and ask it to be reawakened within us! But for tonight (or today) and for the rest of our lives, let us take this light that is inside of us and keep it safe and guard it well, so that it will be there whenever we need it most. May God bless these prayers and all of us, His servants, for He is good and loves mankind! Amen!

Epilogue
Following the closing activity (option 1 or 2) and depending on the schedule, it might be appropriate to have some free time or snack time before “lights out.” If Liturgy is the next day then, of course, appropriate decorum should be followed.

It is recommended that at the end of the retreat, a brunch or dinner be held as a means of welcoming families whose youth participated, as well as an opportunity to thank those who helped with the program and to connect the rest of the parish with the event through fellowship. This could take place after liturgy and even be connected with a preexisting parish dinner event. This also gives time for retreat participants to have one more day of fellowship.