Nearly a hundred women traveled to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Seattle on 11 March 2000 for a women’s retreat sponsored by the Washington Orthodox Clergy Association. Entitled, “Who are We Called to Be as Orthodox Women in the Twenty-First Century?,” the retreat brought together women from thirteen churches across Washington State

In preparation for Great Lent, the Ladies’ Philoptochos of Weston sponsored a women’s overnight weekend retreat held at Holy Cross Seminary in Brookline, Mass. on March 3–5. The campus of Holy Cross, with its beautiful Chapel, was the perfect setting to give glory and honor to God. I am compelled to share the events of the weekend retreat as we are all instructed to “always be ready at all times to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you, but do it with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15–16).

A number of conferences occured over the past few years, summaries of which are below. Please let us know of other conferences, events or retreats you think should be covered in the St. Nina Quarterly.

On Saturday, 20 November 1999, women from several Cleveland-area Orthodox parishes and neighboring churches gathered at St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church in Broadview Heights, Ohio, for a day of reflection on the theme “With Faith and Love Draw Near.”

“Together in our Faith” was the theme for a pan-Orthodox women’s conference held October 22-23, 1999, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Planned and organized by Cathleen Callen who was assisted by Fr. William Olnhausen and Fr. Joseph Tzougros, the conference brought together women from many states to share fellowship, discussion, and worship on the theme of our togetherness in Christ.