"Inked or Sealed: To Whom Do You Belong?"

Crestwood, NY--St Vladimir's Seminary invites students in high school and college to a Christmas retreat to be held on the campus of the seminary December 27-29, 2006. Teenagers and those in their early twenties are invited to share their faith, share worship, share meals, share free time and share discussion on an important theme, "Inked or Sealed: To Whom Do You Belong?"

Tatooing - or ‘inking' - has become a common and popular way for people (young and old) express themselves and demonstrate an identity.  Three seminar leaders will draw parallels between this growing mainstream trend and being marked by the "Seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit." Two St Vladimir's seminarians with experience working with teens at Antiochian Village, Gregory Abdalah and David Jacobs, will lead two of the sessions. Fr David Fox, pastor of St Nicholas Church in Jamaica Estates, NY, will lead the third session.

One of last year's retreat participants said, "I came for the fellowship, to have a place to ask questions, discuss my faith, attend services, and spend time with other Orthodox Christians my age. And I got what I came for."

The total cost for the retreat is seventy dollars. This covers room, board, and an afternoon excursion. Travel to the seminary must be arranged independently. The retreat begins at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, December 27, and ends early in the afternoon on Friday, December 29.

Full information about the retreat including a downloadable PDF flier and registration form is available on our web site . The deadline for registration is December 19, 2006.