Manton, California, July 6, 2026
Photo: dowoca.org
Young adults from across the Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of the West gathered at St. John’s Monastery in Manton, California, June 14-20 for the annual Orthodox LIFE School retreat, an opportunity to deepen their spiritual lives and learn how to serve the Church and be a witness in the world.
Participants joined the monastics’ daily cycle of liturgical services and work, and gathered for spiritual discussions and presentations led by guest clergy and laity, all aimed at helping them discern their path of service to Christ and His Church, the diocese reports.
Abbot Hieromonk Innocent said the brotherhood of St. John’s established the Orthodox LIFE program to give Orthodox young adults an opportunity to deepen their spiritual lives, make friends, and learn how to serve the Church and be a witness in the world.
Participants considered the challenges and opportunities faced by Orthodox Christians in today’s society, identifying ways of supporting one another, even across great distances, in taking up their crosses to follow Christ.
This year’s presenters included Archpriest Damian Kuolt and Fr. Daniel York of St. Seraphim Cathedral in Santa Rosa. Fr. Daniel opened the retreat with a presentation on what it means to be an Orthodox Christian, while Fr. Damian explored the role of prayer in daily life
Other speakers included Abbess Melania of Holy Assumption Monastery in Calistoga, Deacon John Dibs of St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church in San Francisco, and Brendan O’Neill of St. Gabriel Church in Ashland, Oregon. Their presentations engaged participants in discussions both during sessions and while working alongside the monastic brothers.
The retreat schedule was centered on the monastery’s routines, beginning each day with Divine Liturgy and breakfast, followed by presentations and talks on the spiritual life, and afternoon work assignments alongside the brothers. Each day concluded with Vespers and dinner, with evening discussions offering less formal conversation and Q&A with retreat leaders.
This year, participants also visited Sts. Cyril & Methodius Mission in Chico for service projects supporting the mission’s growth, and took part in an introductory street ministry, applying what they had learned during the retreat sessions.
The monastic brotherhood said it was grateful for the interest of Orthodox young adults seeking to grow closer to Jesus Christ, and is already planning next year’s gathering, with information to be posted at monasteryofstjohn.org/retreats/.
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