Dear Archons,
It is with great joy and anticipation that we invite you and your families to attend the Eighth Annual National Archon Lenten Retreat on March 25 and 26. In continuing to foster greater connection with our sister Orthodox churches under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, this year’s Lenten retreat will be at the headquarters of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States located in Somerset, New Jersey. Our retreat master will be the Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, a noted author on Orthodox Spirituality and Church Fathers. Fr. John who received his doctorate degree from Oxford University will be leading the retreat entitled AN ANCIENT FAITH FOR A MODERN WORLD: Lessons on the Spiritual Disciplines of Great Lent, which undoubtedly will have real spiritual impact on all the participants.
Please set aside the time on your calendars to join us in fellowship and prayer with your brother Archons. It is an experience you will not forget and one that will reenergize your spiritual commitment to live a Christ-centered life. All of the information you will need is contained in the attached materials. There are a few actions you must take if you intend to come, including:
- Making your reservation with the Holiday Inn. Call 732-356-1700 and mention the group name “Order of St. Andrew” with group code “AND” to qualify for the special daily rate of $75 excluding taxes.
- Sending a check for $50 per person payable to the “Order of St. Andrew the Apostle” and your completed form by no later than March 15th.
The retreat will begin on Friday, March 25 at 6pm with services at the St. Andrew Memorial Church followed by a Lenten Fellowship Dinner at the Ukrainian Cultural Center. On Saturday, March 26, we will convene in the Church at 8:30am for Divine Liturgy, a light breakfast and the Retreat session. We expect to conclude prior to the 6:00pm Great Vesper Services at the St. Andrew Memorial Church. Archon Kastrinsios James Speros has served honorably and with excellence as Chairman of the Spirituality Committee during the first seven annual Archon Lenten Retreats for which the Order of Saint Andrew is immeasurably grateful. Taking the baton from Archon Jim is Archon Hieromnimon Peter Skeadas who has assumed the chair of the Archon Spirituality Committee and is organizing this year’s Retreat.
Please take advantage of this opportunity to energize your Orthodoxy and strengthen your devotion to our Lord and Savior so that we may serve the needs of the Great Church of Christ with the “shield of faith,” the “helmet of salvation” and the “sword of the Spirit” in the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians, as we seek religious freedom for the Holy and Great Mother Church of Constantinople.
In Christ,
Anthony J. Limberakis, MD
Archon Aktouarios
National Commander
Download the Retreat Forms(Packet includes: Detailed Info, Program, Reply Form, Biography, & Directions)
