The Armenian Church Youth Organization of America held its 2017 Leadership Conference at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Guests stayed at the Tomaras lodge and participated in various leadership building activities.
The Armenian Church Youth Organization of America held its 2017 Leadership Conference at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Guests stayed at the Tomaras lodge and participated in various leadership building activities.
The Vineyard Christian Church of Evanston held their women’s retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Guests stayed at the Tomaras Lodge and enjoyed various activities and the pleasant fall weather.
The Orthodox Christian Fellowship held its 2017 summer leadership institute at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Participants stayed at the Tomaras Lodge and the cottages and took place in various leadership and team building activities as they prepared for the new academic school year.
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By Fr. Dimitri Burikas
It is that time of year when we in the Orthodox Church once again approach the joyful celebration of the feast of Pascha. You may say, “How did this priest graduate seminary? Pascha was on April 16th this year.” And you would be right, but I’m right too. The Pascha I’m referring to is celebrated every year on August 15th and is known as the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, a.k.a. the Pascha of Summer.
What do these two feasts have to do with each other? One is the Resurrection of Christ, the other is the falling asleep of the Virgin Mary. Yet they are intimately connected. The life, teachings, Passion, and Resurrection of Christ liberated mankind from the power of death and come with a promise for humanity: “A time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live” (John 5:25). Not only did Christ break death’s power over us, but Christ promises eternal life to those who hear His voice.
Even so, it’s easy for our faith to be challenged. How can we really know that this will happen? How do we know that there is a life waiting for us beyond the grave?
God has given us the assurance of His promise in the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. Holy Tradition tells us that after her death and burial, the disciples of Christ found her tomb empty and beheld her alive in the Heavenly Kingdom. As we hear in the hymn of this feast: “You were translated unto life, you who are the mother of Life.”
This feast strengthens us as Christians living in the modern world that the promise which God has made us is true and will be fulfilled, that one day we too will rise and dwell forever in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ!
As Orthodox Christians, there are many ways in which we can celebrate this feast. The Orthodox Church observes a two-week fasting period before the feast itself as a way of preparing. On each weekday evening, our churches hold Paraklesis or Supplication services to the Virgin Mary. On August 14th, Great Vespers will be held at the various parishes named in honor of this feast. And on August 15th, we will complete the festivities with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.
During this time, the Church gives us many opportunities to connect with God through the prayers of His Holy Mother. Just as we flock to our parishes for Holy Week and Pascha services, let us again flock to the church to celebrate the Pascha of Summer, the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. With her intercessions and help, we are sure to receive the gift promised to us, life everlasting in God’s Heavenly Kingdom.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
It is with great sorrow that we inform everyone on the falling asleep of His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago on Friday evening, June 2, 2017. He was the spiritual leader of the Metropolis of Chicago and one of the driving forces behind the creation of the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. May His Memory Be Eternal!!!!
Please continue to check here as well as the Metropolis website for additional information as it is provided.
The Royal Family Kids Camp held the summer 2017 staff training at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Guests stayed at the Tomaras Lodge and participated in various training activities as they prepared for their summer camp.
Benedictine University held their Orthodox students retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Guests stayed at the log lodge and were able to spend some time with various activities at the retreat center.
Northwestern University held their 2017 Greek Leadership retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Guests stayed at the Tomaras Lodge and participated various teambuilding and training activities.
The chapel at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center dedicated to the Feast of the Life-Giving Spring celebrated its feast day on April 21st. We were graced by the presence of Metropolitan Iakovos, Bishop Demetrios, numerous priests and many faithful on this very special day.
The Archons of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago held their retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Guests stayed at the Tomaras lodge and took part in various activities.
The Metropolis of Chicago YAL held their young adult retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Guests stayed at the Tomaras Lodge and was treated to a great weekend of fun and learning led by the keynote speaker Fr. Fouad Saba.
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church held their 2017 retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center during which guests stayed at the Tomaras Lodge.
The Metropolis of Chicago held the 2017 Great Escape Winter Camp at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. The campers stayed in the cottages and took part in various fun and creative activities. The Icon making workshop and watermelon challenge were particularly entertaining for the campers. They were even able to interact with some of the animals at the barn. Thank you clergy, staff and campers for your wonderful participation.
The Christ Kupczak men's recovery program held their 2017 retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat center. Attendees stayed at the Tomaras Lodge and participates in numerous activities
The Metropolis of Chicago Family Synaxis ministry held a one night - two day - men's retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. The guest speaker was Fr. Timothy Sas from Twelve Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church in Duluth, Minnesota. In three keynote addresses Fr. Timothy spoke about "Humble Glory: Stories of Men Yearning for God". Other highlights from the overnight include a walk amongst the Saints in the Proskinitaria forest, worship and fellowship amongst the participants.