San Antonio, TX – Responding to the Holy Synod of Bishops call for each deanery to hold regular retreats, service projects, and fellowship events as part of the Orthodox Church in American Youth movement, the Diocese of the South’s Southcentral Deanery held its first retreat on June 6-9, 2004 in San Antonio, TX. Youth and young adults from as far away as Dallas, Pharr, and San Antonio gathered to reflect on this year’s OCAY theme, “Let Your Light So Shine,” chosen by the Holy Synod.

Because of the deanery’s large geographical boundaries, the retreat was scheduled over 4 days in order to allow participants time to develop and deepen friendships with each other. The schedule included retreat sessions led by Fr Michael Anderson, Director of the OCA’s Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry, a visitation to the nearby Holy Angels and Archangels Greek Orthodox Monastery, and a tour of the old Spanish Missions of San Antonio. The event concluded with the Divine Liturgy held at the OCA St George the Great Martyr Orthodox Church in San Antonio.

James Tolleson, a teen participant said, “I came to this retreat because I need to understand my faith better. People always ask me questions about what the Orthodox Church is and what we believe. Retreats like this help me know how to answer them.” Matushka Elizabeth Perdomo from Pharr, TX, one of the organizers of the event was quoted saying, “For small parishes like ours which have very few youth, the OCAY movement has created a way for our youth to develop and maintain friendships with other Orthodox teens, who they would otherwise never have the opportunity to meet.” The group is already making plans for another retreat for the same time next year focused on “Champions of Faith,” the theme chosen by the Holy Synod of Bishops for the 2004/2005 Ecclesiastical year.