The St. Iakovos Retreat Center is an active ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago (www.chicago.goarch.org). Its daily functioning is the effort of many dedicated people including our Hierarch, the board of directors, and on-site employees.
His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago
His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael (Symeonides) of Chicago is of Pontic and Asia-Minor ancestry, and was born in Thessaloniki, Greece (1978). He is the third child of Irene and Vasilios Symeonides. He received his early education from the Greek American Institute of the Zoodochos Peghe Parish of the Bronx, NY. He later graduated from Hellenic College (BA, 2000) and from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (MDiv, 2003). He earned an STM (2003) in Christian Ethics and a ThD (2007) in Bioethics from Boston University. Metropolitan Nathanael has also studied the History and Ethics of Public Health at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
He has served as a guest professor of Orthodox Christian Ethics and Bioethics at Fordham University, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and Saint Vladimir Theological School. He has authored numerous articles in theology and bioethics. He has delivered a series of presentations to clergy of the Archdiocese and to regional pan-Orthodox clergy associations.
On February 7, 2018, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate unanimously elected him Metropolitan of Chicago, succeeding His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of blessed-memory. He was ordained a Bishop on March 17th in the Holy Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, New York, and was enthroned on March 24th in the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation, Chicago.
The St. Iakovos Retreat Center Board of Directors
The St. Iakovos Retreat Center is a non-profit organization overseen by an active, dedicated, and faithful board comprised of both parishioners and clergy throughout the Metropolis, as well as our Hierarchs. The board meets monthly to discuss issues and make decisions to continuously improve the facility and service to guests. The St. Iakovos Retreat Center Board members are:
His Grace Bishop Timothy - Chancellor the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago
Mr. Paul Loupakos - President
Mr. Ted Pappas - Vice President
Ms.Peggy Papaioannou - Treasurer
Mr. Tom Kotsinis - Secretary
Mr. Perry Siatis - Legal Advisor
Rev. Fr. Stephen Bithos
Rev. Fr. Kosmas Kallis
Rev. Fr. Michael Arbanas
Mr. Chris Atsaves
Mr. Tom Bournias
Maria Costopoulos
Mrs. Kathryn Gianaras
Mr. Ernest C. Karras
Mrs. Elaine Katzioris
Mr. James Lakerdas
Mr. George Marks
Eleni Sotos
Ms. Marilyn Tzakis
The On-Site Staff:
Tara Jones - Deputy Director of Operations
Mary Lichenwalner - Kitchen and Grounds Staff
Jayne McGrath - Director of Development
Arun Modayil - Director of Operations