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.
The St. Gregorios Orthodox Church from Elmhurst, IL held an overnight youth retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Participants stayed in the cottages and ate meals in the cafeteria while sharing in fun and fellowship together as they grew in faith.
The St. Iakovos Retreat Center was invited to participate in the 2015 Clergy Laity Congress of the Metropolis of Chicago. The event was held in Madison Wisconsin and hosted by the Assumption Greek Orthodox Parish of Madison Wisconsin. The conference was a wonderful opportunity for the faithful of the Metropolis of Chicago to come together as a family, in prayer, to continue to grow and guide our Church!
The St. Demetrios parish from Elmhurst, IL held an overnight Sr. GOYA Retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center on November 13th, 2015. Over 20 youth and advisers participated in faith and fellowship together all while having fun! Highlights include a night time walk in the woods, volleyball, wagon rides and a visit to the farm! We look forward to seeing St. Demetrios again soon. To see all the fun check out our FlickR Album
The Armenian Church of America, Eastern Diocese, held a three day leadership retreat for young adults from all across the eastern half of the country. Participants gathered from various states including Ten, N.Y., Mass, and Texas. The weekend was filled with faith and fellowship allowing participants to learn and grow to engage their unique gifts and talents for better leadership in the Church Community. We thank them for a wonderful weekend and look forward to hopefully having the opportunity to host them again soon! See all the pictures and highlights from the weekend in our FlickR Album
The Holy Apostles Parish from Westchestire, IL held an overnight GOYA Retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Participants stayed in the cottages and dined in the Cafeteria. The youth participated in Discussions and sessions with their advisors as well as prayer in the chapel. Other highlights included a visit to the barn and animals as well as hanging out and walking the Proskinitaria trails.
The Ss. Peter & Paul parish from Glenview, IL held an overnight GOYA Retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center the weekend of November 7th, 2015. 30 participants enjoyed activities included discussion, prayer and worship as well as walks in the woods, learning about the saints, campfires, softball, dodgeball, arts & crafts, and a wagon ride with visit to the barn. View all photos from the overnight by visiting our FlickR Gallery
On October 31st, the St. Iakovos Retreat Center was host to a harvest day celebration for families from various churches in the Chicago Metropolis. Participants enjoyed a day filled with harvest activities including decorating pumpkins, cookies and games. The day finished with a campfire and dinner held in the cafeteria.
On October 27th 2015 over 500 guests gathered at the the Chateau Ritz to celebrate the feast day of His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos. The Clergy Syndesmos hosted the dinner in honor of His Eminence and donated all the proceeds to the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. We thank the Clergy Syndesmos for their continued love and dedication to the Ministry of the St. Iakovos Retreat Center and the Metropolis of Chicago!
On October 24th, 2015 the St. Demetrios Parish from Elmhurst, IL held a Jr. GOYA Retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Over 15 youth participated in a day of faith and fellowship together. Activities included prayer in the chapel, discussions, lunch, soccer, basketball, a walk through the Proskinitaria trail, Diakonia, and a wagon ride with and animal visit. View all the pictures in our FlickR Photo Album
On October 24th the Holy Cross Parish from Justice, IL held a community Retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. over 45 participants enjoyed faith and fellowship with each other. The day began with a tour of the entire property. After the tour a service was celebrated in the chapel followed by a wonderful lunch prepared by a few of the participants. We rounded the day out with a wagon ride through the proskinitaria trails and a visit to the animals where we ran into the St. Demetrios GOYA from Elmhurst, IL and took a group photo all together! We look forward to hopefully having the Holy Cross Parish retreating with us again soon!
The St. Demetrios GOYA from Chicago, IL hosted and overnight Retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center from October 16 - October 17, 2015. GOYAn's participated in Worship and prayer, as well as discussion and fellowship with each other. Activities included Soccer, Volleyball, a Proskinitaria walk, Campfire, Smore's, and a wagon ride with a visit to the animals. To see all the photos from the retreat please visit our FlickR Album
On October 10th 2015 over 15 GOYAn's from the St. Haralambos Parish in Niles, IL participated in a day retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Activities included discussion, prayer, worship, soccer, volleyball, wagon ride and an animal visit. Participants also made kits which were donated to IOCC for distribution to people in need.
