Holy Friday Retreat
On Holy Friday we will offer our third annual Holy Friday Retreat!
All Kinder - 8th Graders are invited to join our third annual Holy Friday Retreat on Friday, May 3rd from 10:15 (registration) program starts at 10:30AM - 1:45 PM at Ascension Cathedral. Participants will break out into groups doing activities to help them reflect on the meaning of Christ's sacrifice on the Cross as we prepare for Pascha.
An important part of this day are the liturgical services. Parents please keep them in mind when planning for the day. We have made more opportunities for your child to participate in the service.
We will offer three retreat sessions including:
Decorating a Paschal Candle and discussing the significance of the Light of Christ
Decorating a Kouvouklion & Learning the Lamentations and Hymns that are sung on Holy Friday and Saturday
An Orthodox Life Session on the meaning of Christ's Sacrifice on the Cross & Holy Week Experience
We are also inviting all Preschool/TK children to join us! Meet at 10:30 upstairs in the conference room for free play and the formal session will begin at 11:30 am - Parents advised to stay with children.
We will offer the following retreat sessions:
Story time
Crafts including: Decorating holy Saturday flower bags,
LED Candle decorating, Cross Clay Art, and Tin Drum Crafting.
Following the retreat we will offer the Unveiling Vespers at 2 PM. Children will participate in the service by assisting as Our Lord is taken down off the Cross and prepared for burial. On Friday evening, our youth will again be invited to participate in the Epitaphios service by carrying the Children’s Kouvouklion.
Schedule for Holy Friday
8 AM - 9:30 AM - Royal Hours
10:15 AM - 1:45 PM - Holy Friday Youth Retreat
2 PM - Unnailing Vespers - Youth to assist with wrapping the Body of Christ for burial
7 PM - The Epitaphios - Youth to assist with carrying the Children’s Kouvouklion during the procession)
We hope that everyone will take the opportunity to have their child observe this holy and solemn day. Last year’s retreat was a great success and we hope to build on that wonderful foundation by giving our youth another opportunity to experience Holy Week and our Lord and Savior’s Passion and Glorious Resurrection.
Those in High School are invited to help facilitate sessions. Contact our team for more information!
This year we are asking for a $10 donation per child to help offset the cost of the retreat. Use this link to donate.
In Christ,
Holy Friday Retreat Committee
