We are pleased to announce that our XV Annual Lenten Retreat at Holy Virgin Cathedral will take place on Sunday, March 22, 2026, – it will be a very special one. At the 2025 December session of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia it was resolved to establish a commission to study the life, legacy and veneration of the ever-memorable Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose) of Platina: ascetic, theologian, priest, missionary, translator, profound Orthodox thinker, apologist, spiritual writer, and one time chanter-reader at Holy Virgin Cathedral. The veneration of Fr. Seraphim has grown worldwide: Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria has called him a key spiritual guide of the XX century, and Metropolitan Nikoloz of Akhalkalaki (Orthodox Church of Georgia) has locally canonized Fr. Seraphim in his diocese. Fr. Seraphim is well known and venerated on the Holy Mountain. The anniversary of Hieromonk Seraphim’s blessed repose gathers a great multitude of faithful at his gravesite at St. Herman’s Monastery in Platina.

Our talks will be presented by Bishop James of Sonora, Chairman of the new Commission, and Archpriest Martin Person, Dean of the Western American Diocese San Francisco Deanery – two clergymen who personally knew Fr. Seraphim, and for whom he played a significant role in their conversion to Orthodoxy. Besides the talks there will be beautiful fellowship, a Q&A period, and wonderful lenten meals.