The Gathering
Sanctus Gathering 2026
The Sanctus Gathering is an immersive five-day, off-the-grid retreat for church leaders in Europe. 2026’s gathering will be held in late October at a former monastery in Cyprus.
Who: 12-20 europeans in vocational ministry (or in training for it)
When: 19 - 24.10.2026
Where: THE OLD MONASTERY, CYPRUS
How Much: 690€ (EARLY BIRD), 790€ (AFTER 1 Jun), 890€ (after 1 Aug)
Testimonials from the 2025 Gathering in Assisi
“The Gathering provides a perfect place for us to be present to God, ourselves and each other. It will leave you encouraged and more hungry for God in your life.”
“Transformational experience that helps you make paradigm shifts... If you want to grow in intimacy with God, you need this retreat more than you realize.”
“A great gift for your spiritual life.”
“Glorious, restful, spacious, intentional, centeredness to God, intimacy, connection.”
Just some of the words participants used to sum up The Gathering experience.
Need More Information?
Who is invited?
We are inviting Christian leaders throughout Europe who desire to find peace in times of unpeace and a more reflective and personally transformative approach to ministry and life. Participants come from a wide range of church confessions and European cultures. Some will be either young professionals or mid-career ministers, who have to leave young families at home. Normally participants are people from whom other participants and the hosts can learn.
Who is hosting?
Michael Stewart Robb (Writer, Sanctus Founder) and Ville Kavilo (Finnish Lutheran Priest, societas Pauli member) will lead the Gathering. Every year they envision a retreat to which they would want to come to themselves. That means time for silence and individual reflection, plenty of access to nature, a few but intense teaching times, a moderate use of guided prayer and worship, communal meals, unhurried spontaneous conversations, and virtually no phones or devices.
What is the purpose?
The Gathering is focused on helping those already interested in spiritual formation and discipleship find a community of like-hearted pastors, priests and leaders for mutual encouragement, learning and guidance. While we hope that the 5 days will be a highlight of your year, we hope that ideas you explore and the relationships you make will last much longer.
Who should come?
If you are interested in entering a network of like-hearted European ministers and church leaders focused on discipleship to Christ and spiritual formation - then this week away is for you. If you are yearning to reconnect with the Anchor of your soul in the midst of a life and ministry among others who want that just as much as you do - then the Gathering is definitively for you. If you are looking for a gathering that combines orthodox and word-centered teaching with traditional spiritual practices from Western Christian spirituality - then it is for you.
Curious to know more?
Get a taste of a Sanctus retreat from the documentary we released about our 2022 Gathering in Spain.