This Memorial Day weekend, from Saturday to Monday, May 24-26, 2025, ROYA youth gathered at the Protection of the Mother of God Orthodox Monastery in Allegan, Michigan, for a beautiful and faith-filled retreat led by Father Paisie. It was a special time that brought us closer to God and to one another. On Saturday afternoon, we were blessed by the presence of His Eminence
Metropolitan Nicholas, Archbishop of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of the United States of America and Metropolitan of the Americas, who joined us for the Akathist to St. Catherine, ROYA’s patron saint. Earlier that day, we visited Holland, Michigan, where we explored the town, walked around, and shared a meal. It was a wonderful way to begin the weekend, growing in both fellowship and faith.
Sunday began with Divine Liturgy served by HE Metropolitan Nicolae and Hieromonk Paisie. Metropolitan Nicolae offered the sermon on the 6th Sunday after Pascha’s Gospel:
“The miracle in today's Gospel is a sign among others that shows Christ having the power of God to heal, but also that he came to bring light. He brought light to the physical eyes of this man blind from birth so that the works of God could be shown in him, as he answers the disciples' question about who sinned. Christ wants to answer those who believed that sins are passed on from parents to children. He makes clay from the ground, anoints his eyes with clay and then commands him to go to the pool of Siloam, which means sent, says St. John the Evangelist, and once he washes his eyes, he gains his sight, he does not regain it, because he never had it, he was blind from birth. The fulfillment of the miracle of the clay brings us to the creation of man from the earth (Genesis 2:7), which confirms that this miracle is a sign, namely God the Creator fulfills what was imperfect in His creation, sight. What follows is the discovery of the significance of this miracle, the fact that the man blind from birth has acquired his physical sight, but he has also acquired his spiritual sight, for he understands and confesses that the One who could grant him sight can only be God who has the power to correct and heal.”
In the afternoon, we went to South Haven for kayaking and a beach day. That evening, one of our ROYA members hosted us for a barbecue dinner at their home. We ended the night watching 7 Cuvinte, a powerful Romanian Orthodox film about faith under communism, followed by a deep spiritual discussion. We closed the evening around a bonfire, sharing reflections and enjoying each other's company.
On Monday, we began the day with morning prayers at the monastery, creating an intimate and reverent atmosphere as each youth took turns reading. We also celebrated a ROYA member’s together and cherishing the joy of community. What a true blessing it was to spend the weekend surrounded by so many wonderful young people, united in our Orthodox faith, growing spiritually, and building lasting friendships.
