FaithLIfe Counseling Center held a weekend Retreat with clients May 13-15, 2016 at St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Guests participated in fun workshops and enlightening sessions as well as discovering all of the beauty and wonder of the Retreat Center grounds and main lodge.
Clergy Syndesmos had a three night, four day retreat at St. Iakovos May 9-12, 2016. Clergy participated in multiple workshops and meetings, strengthening their faith and leadership commitment. They also enjoyed meals together in the dining hall, fellowship in Tomaras Lodge and worship in the chapel. Please check back for pictures of this event!
St Iakovos Retreat Center hosted the first Archon Retreat May 6-8, 2016. Members first attended the Open House and feast on Friday, enjoying fellowship and worship. Many stayed overnight on the Retreat Center grounds to attend the official begin of the retreat the following morning.
A Saturday morning Business and Planning session started the day, with key items addressed including planning for future events centered around the 5 Key Points of Concern for the future of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and ways to increase attendance at functions and events.
The event was topped off with a Keynote Address by Father David Bissias of Hammond, Indiana. His outstanding and informative address was titled "Primus Inter Pares: The Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Conciliar Tradition of the Church" and centered around the upcoming Holy and Great Council.
To see highlights from the event, please check out our Flickr Album
St Iakovos' annual Feast Day Celebration and Open House was held on May 6, 2016. With record attendance and beautiful weather, it was a truly joyous day! Guests enjoyed a celebration of faith led by Fr. Cosmos, Fr. Chrysanthos Kerkeres, Fr. Dimitri Tobias, Fr. Rice and Dcn. Chris Avramopoulos followed by a delicious traditional feast! Children of all ages enjoyed walking the trails, visiting the farm and touring the Retreat Center grounds. Thank you to all that attended from the St Iakovos Retreat Center board and staff!
St. Andrews Assyrian Church Youth Association joined St. Iavokos Retreat Center for a two day retreat. Participants hiked the Proskinitaria trails, enjoyed fellowship with other youth and grew in faith together through various projects and prayer. Of course no visit to St. Iavokos would be complete without a wagon ride to the farm to meet the animals! To see all of the highlights from the fun, check out the FlickR Album
Saints Peter and Paul had a retreat for their young adults at St. Iakovos Retreat Center April 16-17, 2016. Participants enjoyed spending time with the farm animals and fellowship while growing in faith during workshops and activities. To see the highlights from the two day retreat, check out our Flickr Album.
Saints Peter and Paul Church in Glenview, IL joined St. Iakovos Retreat Center for a two day retreat with their youth and young adults. The unseasonably warm weather allowed the participants to enjoy walks on the Proskinitaria trails, plenty of outdoor games and spending time at the farm with the animals. They also got to try their hands at cooking and eating their creations in the dining hall. It was a wonderful weekend of faith, fellowship with their friends and of course, fun! To see all of the highlights of the weekend, check out our Flickr Album.
St. Demetrios Philoptochos from Elmhurst IL visited St. Iavokos Retreat Center for a two day retreat this spring. They enjoyed discussion sessions, fellowship in the dining hall and a tractor ride to the barn with a very special driver! Animals and participants were fast friends and both enjoyed meeting the other. To see all of the highlights from the retreat, check out our FlickR Album.
On Friday May 6th 2016 the St. Iakovos Retreat Center will host the annual celebration in honor of the feast day of the Ζωοδόχος Πηγή Chapel. The St. Iakovos Retreat Center Board of Directors and staff invites all our brothers and sisters in the Holy Metropolis of Chicago to join us in worship, celebration and fellowship!
The Open House will begin at 9:00 am with Hierarchical Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos. Following Liturgy a lunch, hosted by the St. Iakovos Retreat Center board and Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos, will be served. Guests and visitors will have the opportunity to tour the grounds and new facilities as well as visit the barn animals and enjoy a walk through the Proskinitaria. This event is open to all at no cost; freewill donations will be accepted.
Ionian Village held a Alumni Staff Lenten Retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Young Adults flew from across the country for a 3 day staff retreat that was filled with fun, fellowship and faith. Highlights of the weekend included sessions and discussions led by Dr. George Stavros, walks on the Proskinitaria trails and a wagon ride to visit the animals. To see all the highlights from the weekend check out our FlickR Album.
The St. George Antiochian Parish in Cicero, IL held a 3 day Retreat for the Fellowship (Young Adults) and SOYO (youth) of the St. George & St. Mary's Antiochian Parishes at the St Iakovos Retreat Center. Participants participated in discussions as sessions as well as activities outside, walking the Proskinitaria trail and wagon ride. The Youth stayed in the cottages while the young adults stayed in the Tomaras Lodge, all guests dined in the cafeteria. The weekend ended with a beautiful Liturgy being celebrated in the chapel. To see all the highlights from the weekend checkout the FlickR Album.
The Fanari Camping Program, a ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Youth and Young Adult Office, held a three day Winter Camping Program for youth aged 12 - 17 at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Youth Participated in sessions and discussions where they had an opportunity to learn and engage their faith, as well as regular prayer and worship, and of course FUN! Highlights from the weekend include awesome outdoor olympics, walking on the Proskinitaria trails and of course a wagon ride to the barn to visit the animals. Pictures from this awesome weekend to come soon!
The St. Demetrios Parish from Libertyville, IL held a family day retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Discussions and sessions were held for youth as well as adults in the Tomaras Lodge, a small prayer service in the chapel, as well as a tour of the entire camp. It was a day filled with fun and fellowship which allowed all who were able to participate grow in faith.
The Metropolis of Chicago Family Synaxis Ministry held an overnight mens retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Participants stayed in the Log Lodge and the Tomaras lodge as well as dined in the cafeteria. Fr. Baker held sessions and discussions allowing participants to grow in their faith as they shared in fun and fellowship together.
The Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Justice, IL held an overnight women's retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Participants stayed in the Tomaras Lodge while sharing in Fun and Fellowship with each other. Activities included a discussion held by Presbytera Kathy Kounavis which allowed participants to grow in their faith and a Orthodox Trivia game filled with lots of laughs that went into the late hours of the night. The Retreat wrapped up with a stop at the Monestary in Kenosha on their way back to the parish. We hope to have them back soon!
The Holy Cross Parish and Philoptochos in Justice, IL held a Metropolis Wide baking event that benefitted the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Proceeds will be given to help continue and grow this unique ministry. Thank you to the all those who put forth great effort, time and talent to pull of this awesome event!
The St. Paul Parish from Chicago, IL held an overnight family retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Pariticipants stayed in the Tomaras Lodge and dined in the cafeteria as they shared in fun and fellowship while growing in their faith together.
The Metropolis of Chicago Family Synaxis Ministry held an overnight women Retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Presbytera Vassi Haros spoke about following God's plan allowing participants to share in spirited discussion while growing in their faith. Participants stayed in the Tomaras Lodge and dined in the cafeteria while sharing in fun and fellowship together. To see all the highlights from the weekend checkout our FlickR Album.
The Community Baptist Church of Milwaukee, WI held an overnight leadership retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Over 40 leaders from various ministries in the parish gathered to not only grow together in their faith but also to collaborate on how to enhance their various ministries as well as the parish itself. Participants stayed in the Tomaras Lodge and dined in the cafeteria while sharing in fun and fellowship together.
The St. Mary's Antiochian Parish from Palos Hills, IL held a 3 day youth Retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Activities included Discussions and sessions as well as walking the proskintanria trails and often breaking into a spirited huffily (see video). Participants stayed in the cottages and enjoyed meals in the cafeteria as they shared in fun and fellowship while growing in faith together. To see all highlights from the weekend check out our FlickR Album.
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