The Archdiocesan Annual Retreat

Antiochian Archdiocese Family Retreat 2026 “Faith Lived: From Baptism to Life in Christ” Othona Community, Bradwell-on-Sea 22–25 May 2026

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With the blessing and in the presence of His Eminence Metropolitan SILOUAN, Archbishop of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of the British Isles &amp; Ireland, the Archdiocese Family Retreat 2026 took place at the Othona Community in Bradwell-on-Sea, bringing together faithful from across the Archdiocese for four days of prayer, fellowship, learning, and spiritual renewal. Present at the retreat were His Eminence Metropolitan SILOUAN, Fr Alexander Haig, parish priest of The Twelve Apostles Antiochian Parish in Eastleigh and chaplain of the retreat, Fr Mark Shillaker, parish priest of St Martin and St Helen Antiochian Parish in Colchester, UK, Fr Michael Touma, parish priest of St George Cathedral in London, Fr Dmitri Ismagilov, assistant priest at St George Cathedral in London, Fr Deacon Ephraim Haddad, and Fr Deacon Caedmon Clark of St Hilda of Whitby Antiochian Parish in Halifax.

The retreat was centred around the theme “Faith Lived: From Baptism to Life in Christ,” exploring what it means not only to believe the Orthodox faith, but to live it daily within the life of the Church, in family life, parish life, and personal spiritual struggle. Throughout the first afternoon, attendees arrived from various parishes across our blessed isles and were warmly welcomed by the retreat team before settling into their rooms and gathering for tea, coffee, and fellowship. The retreat officially began with Vespers in commemoration of Michael the Confessor, Bishop of Synnada, served by Fr Alexander Haig with the participation of the retreat choir composed of clergy and attendees from across the Archdiocese. Following Vespers, His Eminence welcomed everyone and reflected on the purpose of gathering together for the retreat. He spoke about how the Christian life is not lived in isolation, but in communion as members of the Body of Christ. He encouraged everyone to embrace the fullness of Orthodox life together throughout the weekend by praying together, eating together, learning together, serving together, and sharing fellowship together. He also encouraged the faithful to stop constantly seeking after earthly things and instead allow God to work in their lives according to His will and providence. As the Church continued celebrating the joy of the Resurrection and the Ascension of Christ, Fr Alexander reminded attendees of the Apostle’s words to “Rejoice always,” encouraging everyone to live these feast days with genuine spiritual joy and thanksgiving. The opening evening continued with dinner and fellowship before attendees participated in a series of icebreaker activities designed to help everyone become acquainted with one another. Adults, youth, and children first took part in a Human Bingo challenge before being divided into teams for the “Drop the Egg” competition, where participants worked together to design and build structures capable of protecting an egg from breaking when dropped from a height.

The activities quickly filled the retreat with laughter, teamwork, creativity, and conversation, setting a joyful tone for the days ahead. Throughout the retreat, the children and youth followed their own parallel programme of talks, discussions, games, workshops, and activities led by the retreat volunteers, while also joining the adults for selected shared activities and competitions.

The second day of the retreat began prayerfully with Orthros in commemoration of Michael the Confessor, Bishop of Synnada, followed by breakfast and the first full day of talks and activities. The first adult talk was presented by Fr Deacon Caedmon Clark under the title “Belonging and Life in Christ: Reflections on Joining the Church.” Fr. Dn. Caedmon, who had previously served as an evangelical pastor before being received into the Orthodox Church together with his parish in September 2025, reflected on his own journey into Orthodoxy. He emphasised that Baptism and Chrismation are not simply symbolic rites of passage, but genuine participation in the life of the Holy Spirit. He explained that belonging to the Church is ontological rather than merely intellectual, reminding attendees that identity is received as a gift in Christ rather than self-created. He concluded by reflecting on how love was central in bringing people with him into the Orthodox Church and remains central in bringing others to Christ today.

Meanwhile, the children and youth participated in discussions, games, workshops, and outdoor activities focused on living the Christian life and growing together in faith and friendship. Following a period of fellowship and free time along the coastal paths surrounding the retreat centre, the afternoon session continued with a talk by Fr Mark Shillaker titled “What am I Called To?” Fr Mark reflected on the modern anxiety surrounding vocation and life choices, noting how contemporary society often paralyses people with endless options and uncertainty. He encouraged attendees not to become fearful or anxious about discovering one perfect path in life, but instead to live prayerfully, seek guidance from trusted spiritual fathers, and move forward in repentance and trust in God. The children and youth meanwhile continued their own programme, including an energetic outdoor water fight combined with dodgeball, bringing great excitement and laughter to the retreat grounds. Later in the day, all attendees gathered together for a lively series of activities and team games that brought together children, youth, parents, and adults in a spirit of cooperation, encouragement, and joyful competition. The evening concluded with Great Vespers for the Sunday of the After-feast of the Ascension, commemorating the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, followed by a lively Jeopardy Night focused on Holy Scripture, Church history, the saints, Orthodox faith, pop culture, movies and more. After several closely contested rounds, the youth team emerged victorious.

The faithful then gathered together for Small Compline and the Canon of Preparation for Holy Communion in preparation for the Divine Liturgy the following morning. On the third day of the retreat, the community gathered for Orthros and the Divine Liturgy for the Sunday of the After-feast of the Ascension, commemorating the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council. His Eminence Metropolitan SILOUAN presided over the Divine Liturgy, assisted by the clergy present. In his homily, His Eminence reflected on the witness of the Holy Fathers and the importance of seeking truth and making decisions guided by the Holy Spirit and the life of the Church. He encouraged attendees to reflect on how Orthodox families make decisions within their own homes, in their relationship with God, in their relationships with others, and within family life itself. Drawing inspiration from the unity and discernment of the Fathers gathered in Council, Sayedna encouraged the faithful to consider whether their own decisions are rooted in prayer, humility, love, and faithfulness to Christ.

Following breakfast and fellowship, the morning adult talk was presented by Fr Dmitri Ismagilov. Fr Dmitri reflected on two forms of struggle in the Christian life: the inner struggle of repentance, prayer, and confronting one’s weaknesses, and the outward struggle of carrying the difficulties and sufferings of daily life with faith. He emphasised that such struggles are not signs of failure, but rather part of spiritual growth in Christ, as God works through both spiritual effort and life’s trials to draw us closer to Him. Reflecting on the example of the Publican rather than the Pharisee, Fr Dmitri encouraged attendees to recognise spiritual growth not through self-measurement or recounting spiritual achievements, but through repentance, softness of heart, returning quickly to prayer, and persevering in communion with Christ through confession and Holy Communion.

At the same time, the children and youth continued learning about the Divine Liturgy and its spiritual meaning. One of the highlights of their programme was a treasure hunt activity guiding participants through different stages representing parts of the Divine Liturgy. As they moved between stations, the children reflected on the meaning and significance of each moment within the service, engaging practically and joyfully with what they had been learning throughout the day. Later in the afternoon, His Eminence Metropolitan SILOUAN delivered the final adult talk of the retreat titled “What Do Suffering and Death Mean? The Hope of Life in Christ.” Sayedna reflected on how suffering and death touch every human life, yet through Christ they are transformed from sources of despair into paths leading towards hope, healing, and resurrection. He reminded attendees that Christianity does not promise a life without suffering, but reveals that Christ Himself entered into human pain, suffering, and death in order to conquer them through His Resurrection. He encouraged the faithful to unite every struggle and sorrow to Christ, reminding everyone that no suffering is wasted in the life of a Christian and that the Resurrection changes everything.

During the afternoon, Fr Michael Touma arrived and joined the retreat community for the remainder of the programme. The final evening featured the much anticipated Sahra Night, which this year took the form of a live television broadcast titled “ART News” (Antiochian Retreat Times News). Throughout the evening, the three adult teams and the youth team competed by answering questions related to the retreat talks, memorable moments from the weekend, and various aspects of Orthodox faith and Church life. Each team also prepared and presented its own performance. The adult teams performed a series of creative and humorous plays. One team presented “The Best Worst Circus,” another presented a play centred on “Ethel,” a young woman struggling to preserve her purity and Christian values amidst the temptations of the modern world, while the third team presented “A Day in the Life of a Catechist,” humorously portraying the joys and struggles of serving within parish life. Meanwhile, the children and youth team presented a lively news report covering the events and memorable moments of the retreat. They also performed two songs they had learned together throughout the weekend. One memorable segment featured an interview with Fr Michael shortly after his arrival, while another included a short spiritual word from His Eminence Metropolitan SILOUAN addressed to the children and young people attending the retreat. After careful consideration by the judges, the children and youth team were awarded the prize for best overall performance, much to the delight of the retreat community.

The final day of the retreat began with Daily Orthros in commemoration of the Third Finding of the Precious Head of St John the Baptist. Following breakfast, attendees gathered for a closing Q&A session attended by both adults and children. Questions addressed topics including prayer life, family life, suffering and death, discerning God’s will, the future of Orthodoxy in the British Isles, and strengthening relationships between different Orthodox jurisdictions. The clergy answered thoughtfully and pastorally, encouraging attendees to remain rooted in prayer, repentance, sacramental life, and unity within the Church.

As the retreat drew to a close, many participants reflected on the final words from the children’s presentation during the Sahra Night. As photographs from the retreat were displayed on the screen, the children said: “At the beginning of the retreat, some of us arrived not knowing many people. Some of us were shy. Some of us were excited. Some of us were just asking when dinner was. But over these days, something changed. We prayed together. We ate together. We played together. We listened to talks. We learnt about the Church as a family. And maybe the most important lesson was not only said in the talks. It was shown in the friendships we made.” They continued: “In the people who helped us. In the older children looking after the younger ones. In the parents serving quietly. In the clergy praying for us and teaching us. In the laughter, the games, the services, and all the little moments we will remember.” Finally, they concluded: “Because the Church is not only a place we visit. It is a family we belong to.” These words remained in the hearts of many as attendees exchanged emotional farewells.

It became clear how meaningful the weekend had been for so many participants. Friendships had been strengthened, new relationships had been formed, and the spirit of unity and fellowship experienced throughout the retreat left a lasting impression on everyone present. The organising committee extended heartfelt thanks to His Eminence Metropolitan SILOUAN, the clergy, speakers, volunteers, youth leaders, choir members, and all attendees who contributed to making the retreat possible. With hearts renewed and friendships strengthened, attendees departed carrying with them the reminder that the Orthodox faith is not simply something believed, but a life to be lived daily in Christ and within His Church. May God bless all who attended, and may the prayers of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council and St John the Baptist remain with everyone who took part in this year’s retreat. The faithful now look forward, God willing, to gathering once again for the next Archdiocese Family Retreat from 28 to 31 May 2027.