METROPOLIS OF CHICAGO ARCHONS HOLD FIRST EVER ARCHON RETREAT AT ST IAKOVOS RETREAT CENTER
KEYNOTE SPEAKER FATHER DAVID BISSIAS OF HAMMOND, INDIANA
KANSASVILLE, WI: The Archons of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago held their first ever Archon Retreat yesterday, May 7, at the St Iakovos Retreat Center in Kansasville, Wisconsin. This planned future annual event featured a business and planning session, keynote address by Father David Bissias, opportunity to explore the outstanding facilities available at the St Iakovos Retreat Center, and most importantly time to relax and strengthen friendships.
On Friday, the Archons joined clergy and parishioners from throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Indiana for the service of the Feast Day of the St. Iakovos Retreat Center Chapel; the Chapel of the Life-giving Spring (Ζωοδόχος Πηγή). Yearly an Open House Event for the St Iakovos Retreat Center, a record attendance of over 250 individuals came to see all that this outstanding facility has to offer.
The establishment of the St. Iakovos Retreat Center, which serves as the site of the Summer FANARI Youth Camp amongst other activities, is an accomplishment of Metropolitan Iakovos’ years of organizing and fundraising. The St. Iakovos Retreat Center is a 137-acre facility featuring the 11-acre Friendship Lake with over 50 acres of pinewood forest. The St. Iakovos Retreat Center is a unique facility offering a peaceful setting for overnight retreats and camps, as well as a beautiful enviornment for celebrations such as weddings and family reunions.
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.
A very generous contribution of $10500 was made by Archon Dimitris and Eleni Bousis of Chicago to fund educational activities to increase awareness of the plight of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Archon Bousis’ contribution, combined with the $9500 collected already this year towards this project, was immediately matched by the Kulis Foundation of Chicago.
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.
