On Saturday, May 2, 2026, clergy and altar servers from across the New York State Deanery gathered at Ss. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in Endicott, NY, for a blessed and inspiring Altar Servers Retreat led by Archbishop Michael. Centered around the words of Christ, “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14), the retreat offered young men serving in the Holy Altar an opportunity to deepen both their liturgical knowledge and their spiritual formation.
The day began with the altar servers welcoming His Eminence and assisting the subdeacons with the vesting of the hierarch before the celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. Throughout the services, the participants were given hands-on instruction in the responsibilities connected with serving a hierarchical liturgy, including the use of the trikiri and dikiri, holding the service books, assisting with the washing of hands, and learning the many movements and duties required of subdeacons and altar servers during episcopal worship.
The retreat brought together 1 hierarch, 8 priests, 5 deacons, 10 subdeacons, and 47 altar servers, reflecting the strength and vitality of the Church’s liturgical life within the deanery.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the faithful of Ss. Peter and Paul Church hosted a festive luncheon in the parish fellowship hall, offering an opportunity for fellowship among clergy, servers, and parishioners.
The afternoon sessions were led by Archpriest Alexey Karlgut and Archpriest Jason Vansuch, together with Subdeacon Mark Federoff, Subdeacon Zack Parisi, Reader Andrew Bohush, and Reader Andrew Karlgut. Over the course of several hours, participants received practical instruction on preparing for hierarchical services, setting up and folding episcopal vestments, vesting the hierarch, and properly carrying out the liturgical movements of the Little Entrance, Gospel Reading, and Great Entrance.
The retreat proved to be a joyful and spiritually enriching day for all in attendance, helping to prepare and encourage the next generation of faithful servants at the Holy Altar.
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