Retreat into the World of Pysanky
– A Sacred Art Retreat –
One night, February 21-22, 2024
Back by popular demand is our Pysanky retreat. This year, Pastor Steve Saxe will begin the retreat with some thoughtful reflections on the history and origins of the sacred practice of Pysanky. Friday evening will be a time to listen and pray. Saturday will be a time to pray with your hands. With Pastor Steve’s expert guidance, you will write your personal prayers on the Pysanky eggs.
Have you come to one of our previous retreats and would like a refresher? We would love to see you again. And if you bring your own Kistka, we’ll give you a $15 discount.
About Pysanky
Decorating pysanky (Ukrainian Easter eggs) is part of Lenten preparations for Easter, traditional among Ukrainians and many other East-Central European groups. The word pysanky comes from the Slavic word for “writing.”
Decorating (or writing) Easter eggs in the Ukrainian style involves the process of drawing intricate designs using beeswax with a tool called a kistka and dying the eggs in successive layers. Symbols and colors are chosen to represent special meanings.
As you create your pysanka, you can add your prayers and good wishes for the egg’s recipient. Tradition says giving a pysanka is giving a symbolic gift of life.
At the end of the retreat, you’ll be able to bring home your kistka kit to continue the practice at home.
To find out more about the joy of ‘writing’ eggs, read this article from the Catholic Register: Egg decorating brings some quarantine joy (catholicregister.org)
For more information, call 828.327.7441 or email info@catholicconference.org
Retreat Schedule
| Friday, February 21 | |
| 2:00 PM | Check-in |
| 6:30 PM | Dinner |
| 7:00 PM | Session 1: About the Pysanky Tradition |
| Saturday, February 22 | |
| 8:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 9:00 AM | Session 2: Write your own Pysanky |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch |
| 3:00 PM | Blessing and Dismissal |
About the Presenter
Pastor Steve Saxe
Steve Saxe has been teaching the sacred art of Ukrainian Pysanky egg decorating. He has crafted or “written” eggs for over 20 years now, having learned the craft from an Orthodox parish in the Greenville area. He has taught the craft at Furman University’s Adult Learning Program and has taught numerous other Pysanky workshops. Steve is a registered SC Craftsman and has published an article on the craft. Steve Saxe currently serves as the pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Greenville, SC.
Links if you would like to learn more:
– Comments & photos on past retreats, click here
– Catholic News Herald coverage, click here
– More on pysanky and artisan Steve Saxe, visit A Good Egg.
– Feature magazine article, visit Somerset Studio: Pasanky, Divine Perfection:
Pricing
The price is $225 per person (private room), $375 per couple or double occupancy (shared room). This includes overnight lodging, three full-course meals prepared by our own chef, all materials, and stipends for our expert presenters… plus access to our beautiful facilities, trails, and outdoor meditation areas.
Registration
Please follow the link to our registration form. Should you decide to cancel, a full refund will be given if we receive at least two week’s notice. Within two weeks, no refunds will be granted.
NOTE: To make sure everyone gets quality time with the presenter, space is limited to 20 participants. Our previous retreats have filled up, so register now.