Panagia Gorgoepikoos Monastery Youth Visit, 2026
On Saturday, 20 June 2026, the youth from St Nicholas and St Paul’s came together for a special day retreat at Panagia Gorgoepikoos Monastery in Geelong. The day was centred around the theme of Discipleship, helping us learn what it means to follow Christ and live as His disciples in our daily lives.
The day began with a warm welcome in the church before spending time with (Mother Superior), Mother Kalasttini. During her talk and Q&A session, she shared valuable wisdom about life in the monastery, the importance of prayer, and growing closer to God through a faithful spiritual life. The youth appreciated the opportunity to ask questions and learn from her experiences.
After enjoying lunch together, we gathered for a talk with Abouna Jean, who spoke about the meaning of discipleship. Through discussion, he reminded us that discipleship means imitating the Master, He also taught us about the five “ships” of the Christian life: Worship, Fellowship, Stewardship, Discipleship, and Apostleship. Abouna also shared that the first Christians were known as “The People of the Way,” encouraging us to live in a way that reflects Christ to those around us.
The afternoon included a structured group activity that encouraged teamwork and strengthened the bonds between the youth. Everyone also had the opportunity to visit the monastery bookshop and enjoy some free time before coming together for Paraklesis.
The retreat was a wonderful experience filled with learning, fellowship, and fun. Both St Nicholas and St Paul’s youth enjoyed spending time together, growing in faith, and creating lasting memories. We thank Abouna Ignatius and Abouna Jean for being there with us on the day and helping make the retreat such a meaningful experience
