March 17 & 18, 2009 - Irvine, California

His Grace Bishop Maxim, together with the Clergy of the Western American Diocese gather for the Annual Clergy Retreat & Confessions. This year this event was held at the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos Church in Irvine, California.

On Tuesday, March 17th our Clergy gathered at 3pm for Confession followed by the Lenten Compline Service. At 6pm a delicious dinner was prepared and served by the parishioners of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos Church. A special lecture followed which was open to all our faithful in the nearby communities.

This year we were honored to have as our guest speaker, Very Rev. Archimandrite Nektarios Serfes. Fr. Nektarios spoke on the topic: "A piece of bread for our brothers and sisters in Kosovo & Metohija".

Fr. Nektarios is currently the parish priest of Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, in Boise, Idaho. He is the President of the Decani Monastery Relief Fund, Inc. USA (founded in October of 1998)

Fr. Nektarios is also the President of the Archbishop Jovan Fund, USA & President of the St. Nektarios Benevolent Fund for Seminarians and College students at Holy Cross Seminary/Hellenic College in Boston.

On Wedesday, March 18th His Grace Bishop Maxim concelebrated the Presanctified Liturgy with our Clergy and faithful. Following the service a wonderful brunch was served after which everyone returned to their home parishes.