CHICAGO, IL [DOM] – With the blessing of the Holy Synod of Bishops, and at the invitation of His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Diocese of the Midwest, the Diaconal Vocations Program of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) is pleased to announce that we will be offering a second Diaconal Liturgical Practicum this Summer: August 25-28, 2026, on the campus of Holy Trinity Church, Parma, OH.
The five-day program (two full days and two half days) will offer intense practical liturgical training for deacons and lay diaconal candidates. In addition to liturgical practice, sessions will also cover chanting and vocal technique and address teaching about the Orthodox faith.
This 20th annual Practicum is put on by the Orthodox Church in America’s Diaconal Vocations Program (DVP) and is highly recommended by the Holy Synod for participants in the Church’s program and other diaconal formation programs.
The Practicum is highly recommended for participants in the Church’s diaconal formation programs by the Holy Synod and is offered at the invitation of His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel, and with the blessing of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, with oversight by the Board of Theological Education of the Orthodox Church in America. This second session is being held in Parma, Ohio. Liturgical workshops are delivered by an experienced faculty, including Archpriest Kirill Sokolov, director of the Diaconal and Late Vocations of the Orthodox Church in America, Archpriest Gregory Ealy, and Subdeacon Dimitri Pletz.
REGISTER HERE
Course Description
Practical liturgical training for deacons and lay diaconal candidates will be centered on serving the Divine Liturgy and other services. Intensive workshops aim to provide participants with the skills needed to serve effectively in the Orthodox Church as an attentive server, deacon, or priest. Attention will be given to the liturgical patterns of movement that inform the entire rite of the Church. Participants will also receive guidance on concelebrations and hierarchical celebrations so that they can effectively prepare for such occasions. In addition to practicums, focused presentations by faculty will augment the deacon’s understanding of his place in the liturgical life of the Church and the deacon’s broader vocation as a symbol to the faithful of the diakonia of Christ our Lord. Instruction in speaking about the faith and vocal technique when chanting will also be offered.
Schedule
A welcome BBQ, prayer, and an opening session will launch the Practicum at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25. The Practicum will conclude on Friday, August 28. Participants can plan on leaving around 1 p.m. to take flights from Cleveland afternoon.
Registration and Fee
The cost to register for the Ohio 2026 Diaconal Practicum is $450 and includes all meals throughout the practicum, but does not include transportation and/or lodging. Payment should be made upon completion of registration via the form below.
Setting
Parma, Ohio: Located just south of Cleveland, Parma offers visitors convenient access to one of the Midwest’s major metropolitan regions while retaining the character of a close-knit suburban community. Greater Cleveland is home to a rich cultural and religious heritage, with museums, parks, historic neighborhoods, and Lake Erie all within easy reach. Visitors traveling to Parma are served by Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), located approximately 15 miles from Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, with daily non-stop service from major domestic carriers. Parma’s central location and accessibility make it an ideal setting for fellowship, worship, and study in the heart of Northeast Ohio.
Holy Trinity Orthodox Church: Founded in 1963, Holy Trinity Orthodox Church of the Orthodox Church in America has long been known as a vibrant English-language Orthodox parish with a strong commitment to liturgical life, theological education, and hospitality. Situated on a spacious campus in Parma, the parish grew from the vision of six founding families and today serves a diverse and growing community from across Greater Cleveland. The church temple is beautifully adorned with traditional Orthodox iconography and provides a setting well suited for prayerful worship and rigorous liturgical training. Holy Trinity’s clergy and faithful are widely recognized for their dedication to Orthodox Christian outreach, sacred music, and education, making the parish an ideal host for gatherings focused on worship, learning, and fellowship. More information: Holy Trinity Orthodox Church
Accommodations
Room blocks have been secured at Embassy Suites by Hilton Cleveland Rockside at an event rate of $139/night. Participants are welcome to stay elsewhere as preferred.
Embassy Suites
5800 Rockside Woods Blvd N
Independence OH 44131
You can book your room here: https://www.hilton.com/en/
Group Name: Holy Trinity Orthodox Church
Group Code: XHT
Cutoff Date: July 28, 2026
Central Reservations Number: 1-800-315-1185
Important Notes:
The link should be copied and pasted into the browser as sometimes just clicking on the link can cause it to bring up an error page.
All reservations must be booked no later than July 28, 2026, in order to receive the negotiated rate.
There is a Top Golf right next door if anyone wants to bring clubs.
FAQs
We often receive questions from potential participants regarding ways to prepare for our Diaconal Liturgical Practicum. This section seeks to answer some of these “Frequently Asked Questions.”
I already registered for the Practicum in Santa Rosa this summer? Can I switch to the Ohio Practicum?
Yes! Simply request a refund from the Diocese of the West at chancery@dowoca.org and register (again) for this one.
I’m just entering the Diaconal Vocations Program. Should I attend?
The Holy Synod believes that everyone studying for the Diaconate should study and practice liturgics in a regular, organic fashion. Attending an annual summer program with experienced faculty and other DVP participants is a very effective aid in preparation for the Diaconate. You will “get something” from the program every year you attend, whether you are new, returning, or already ordained. Those who wish to serve as Deacons in the Orthodox Church in America are required to attend two Practicums.
I’ve been a deacon for some time. Is this for me?
Every deacon can benefit from participating in the fellowship, conciliar service, and indeed, a refresher course in liturgical practice. Experienced participants can be a great encouragement to those just beginning their journey to the diaconate. Past participants have described their diaconate as being refreshed after attending. If you are not sure whether you ought to register for the program, please e-mail Archpriest Kirill to discuss at dvp@oca.org.
How can I make myself ready for this Practicum?
Everyone comes to our program from different parishes and with different experiences. With that in mind, our practical training seeks to start at a level where everyone can participate and grow. Already-ordained deacons and future candidates are trained in ways appropriate to their experience. Participants can have the best experience by preparing in the following ways:
• Seek the guidance of your parish priest and the director of your vocations program.
• Experience worship actively.
• Pay attention to the Divine Liturgy and other services of the Church in your parish.
• Without getting “bogged down” in a book, follow the outline of the services in service books.
• Try to anticipate the liturgical actions of the priest, deacon, and servers before they occur. Are there discernible patterns?
• If you are not already a deacon, your priest may invite you to participate in the services as an altar server, reader, or choir member. Be obedient in these matters to your parish priest and try to grow in your abilities under his direction.
• You may wish to seek the guidance of a skilled musician, such as your parish’s choir director, if you are inexperienced in church reading.
• Above all, prayerful preparation by faithful participation in the divine services is key.
• Come to the Practicum physically rested and mentally alert for a program that will be challenging but, we pray, rewarding.
Should I bring my own vestments?
We ask that deacons bring a complete set of gold vestments (stikharion, orarion, and cuffs) to ensure a good fit for serving. It is our practice that deacons vest fully for the reception of Holy Communion in the altar. We will provide vestments for those participants serving as subdeacons and servers but you may bring gold vestments if you prefer.
