We are pleased to announce an Autumn Retreat, featuring special guest speaker Madre Ivonne from the Hogar Rafael Ayau Orthodox Christian Orphanage in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

Madre Ivonne has been with the Hogar since 1996, and has served in virtually every facet of the life of the orphanage, from the care of the children to accounting and financial duties. Since 2003 she has been the overall coordinator for the Hogar. Madre Ivonne entered the Monasterio Ortodoxo Lavra Mambre in 1992, and took her monastic vows in 1994. The monastery and orphanage are under the jurisdiction of the Antiochian Orthodox Church of Guatemala.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

• 8:30am Divine Liturgy
• 10:15-11:00am Brunch
• 11:00-12:30pm First Presentation, Q&A
• 12:45pm-2:00pm Lunch
• 2:00pm-3:30pm Second Presentation, Q&A
• Vespers to follow immediately.

At Christ the Savior Orthodox Church, 4285 Ashland Ave, Cinci OH
$15 Registration Fee (payable at the door).
100% of registration fee goes to the Hogar Rafael Ayau.
Child Care provided.
To register by email, please contact Fr. Steven, and advise how many will be attending, and how many children will require Child Care.

"I am going to the Bible Study!" is a battle cry of spiritual resistance against all of the secularizing tendencies, empty entertainment distractions, and spiritual laziness that threaten to engulf us within their relentless web of temptations. "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die" is how the Apostle Paul summarizes such an approach to life (I COR. 15:32). But the Apostle wrote this about the Holy Scriptures:


So put your $39.00 Orthodox Study Bible to good use and join the Spring/Summer Bible Study. Become part of a real parish event. "Come and see" why the Bible Study participants (now a pretty substantially-sized group) keep returning for more. Experience the excitement of coming to a greater understanding of the living Word of God that is "inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that that man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (II TIM. 3:16-17)

Fr. Steven

Thanks to the dedication and guidance of our pastor, Fr. Steven Kostoff, regular classes, seminars and spiritual retreats have always been a major part of our parish life. In addition to Fr. Steven's Catechism Classes, Adult Education Series each Autumn, and Scripture Study each Spring/Summer, we have hosted retreats led by many distinguished speakers, including:

• Fr. Roman Braga, 1993
• Fr. Thomas Hopko, 1995
• Fr. John Breck, 1997
• Drs. David and Mary Ford, 1999
• Bishop Kallistos Ware, 2002
• Mother Abbess Ines and Mother Maria (from the Hogar Rafael Ayau in Guatemala), 2003
• Presvytera Renée Ritsi, OCMC Missions Retreat, 2003
• Sister Magdalen of St. John the Baptist Monastery, Essex, England, 2004
• Mother Gabriella, Abbess of Holy Dormition Monastery, Rives Jct Michigan; Great Lent 2006

Upcoming seminars and spiritual retreats will be posted on the website as soon as scheduled.