2015 Western Rite Orthodox Conference - ROCOR

On September 28th through October 1st, 2015 the clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia's Western Rite Communities met at Mt. Alvernia Retreat Center in Wappinger Falls, New York. There were daily Vespers, Compline, and Mass. Presentations included Orthodox care for the dying by Hieromonk Ezekial (Vieages) in Louisiana, a presentation on Orthodox iconography, Sacred and Religious Art of East and West by Hieromonk Silouan of Holy Cross Monastery in Setauket, NY, educational opportunities being developed for the Western Rite clergy by Fr. Ephraim of Holy Trinity Seminary - Jordanville,  how to establish a mission parish by Fr. Victor Novak of Holy Cross parish in Omaha, Nebraska, and many others. Father Deacon Aristibule of Saint Brendan's Orthodox Mission served as Deacon at the Solemn High Mass on the first full day with our Dean, Father Mark Rowe of Sarasota Florida, and Father Deacon Michael Heningham of the Antiochian Western Rite Vicariate, and also the second day with Father Thomas Cook of Nottingham, England, and Father Deacon Michael Heningham. The Conference was marked by a positive fraternal spirit, and many steps were taken towards preserving the Orthodoxy and traditional Western rite that ROCOR has been known for forty years.