With the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (AEP) hosted the John Halecky Jr. 21st Annual National Archon Lenten Retreat on the East Coast on Friday, April 4 and Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Southampton, New York. The first-ever West Coast Retreat took place on March 28 and 29, 2025 at St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in Pasadena, California.
As he did at the Inaugural West Coast Lenten Retreat, at the East Coast Retreat Father Stavros Akrotirianakis provided wisdom and insight in his capacity as the Retreat Master. Father Stavros spoke on the topic, “Renewing Our Call to Be Disciples: Understanding Who We Are Called to Be and Recommitting Ourselves to Our Sacred Charge.” His thoughtful and illuminating presentation focused on the challenges and benefits of being a disciple of Jesus Christ, and was received with immense enthusiasm and gratitude.
Hosting the retreat was the Archons’ Spiritual Advisor, the Rev. Protopresbyter Alexander Karloutsos, and Father Constantine Lazarakis, who served as Retreat Pastors.
The Retreat began on Friday evening with the Akathist Hymn. Archons Mike Angeliades and Michael Psaros beautifully chanted the Friday night Salutation Prayers before the icons of the Theotokos and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the Greek language.
Then followed a Lenten Fellowship Dinner. After dinner, Father Stavros led the first session, discussing how “unfit by worldly standards the Holy Apostles were for the task to which the Lord called them, and the importance of trusting in Him that we are abundantly equipped to perform the tasks He calls us to do.” On Saturday, April 5, the day began with the Divine Liturgy, followed by sessions two and three, during which Father Stavros offered searching and thought-provoking stories from his own ministry and profound insights into the difficulties and blessings of the Christian life.
During the Retreat, Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the AEP, offered a presentation on the activities of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation (EPBF) over the past year.
As in past years, the AEP offers heartfelt thanks to all those at Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Southampton, New York for their generous hospitality, and to all the Archons and their spouses who attended and provided the essential financial support to make this Retreat an ever-memorable experience.
On Saturday evening, the AEP hosted a celebratory dinner in honor of our beloved Spiritual Advisor, Father Alex, on the occasion of his 80th birthday.
The John Halecky Jr. National Archon Lenten Retreat on both the West Coast and East Coast is under the chairmanship of Archon Hieromnimon Peter J. Skeadas and co-chair Archon Ostiarios Michael G. Psaros. It offers Archons an opportunity to turbocharge their Orthodox Christian Faith and strengthen their devotion to our Lord and Savior, so that they 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” as they continue their indefatigable efforts to seek religious freedom for the Holy and Great Mother Church of Constantinople.
