08/28/2026
On Aug. 20-23, 2026, the Antiochian Archdiocese, in conjunction with Ancient Faith Ministries, hosted its first vocations retreat, “Do You Want to Be a Priest?” at the Antiochian Village under the leadership of His Eminence Metropolitan Saba.
Eighty-two men attended, representing 58 Antiochian parishes in 26 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces. Fifty-four were accompanied by their wives or fiancées, one brought another family member, and six brought babies, bringing the total attendance to 143.
Since the life of the priesthood touches an entire household, the retreat welcomed the wives and fiancées of participants as full sharers in the experience.
Participants and presenters explored the role of the priesthood in an atmosphere of love, candor, and earnestness, with frank discussion of both the particular joys and sorrows of the life of a priest and his family: How do a priest and his family deal with loneliness? Financial stresses? Parish conflict? Relocation away from family and friends? Stresses on children? Burnout?
Extended Q&A sessions often lasted into the night, with many lingering for conversation with presenters and each other long after sessions were completed.
The weekend culminated in the celebration of the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning, led by Metropolitan Saba and concelebrating clergy, bringing the retreat's conversations about calling and service to their central purpose: the worship of Christ in the life of the Church.
Full article by Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick and more photos by Subdn. Justin Wehbe at https://www.antiochian.org/regulararticle/2914.
