Tara Grzonka and Kevin Jones Wedding 8.27.16

Staff member Tara Grzonka married Kevin Jones at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center on August 27th.  The ceremony was officiated by Eric Engebretson at 3:30pm in the Great Room of Tomaras Lodge, followed by dinner and dancing in the lower level.  Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Jones!

Christ the Savior Orthodox Church 8.19-8.21.16

Christ the Savior Orthodox Church from Chicago held a retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center August 19th-21st.  Attendees enjoyed games, walking the Proskinitaria Trails, a visit to the barn and sharing in faith and fellowship. Some families camped in tents, roasted marshmallows and had a bonfire, making it a camping outing!  To see all of the highlights, check out our Flickr page!

OCF Student Leadership Board Retreat 8.16-8.20.16

The Orthodox Christian Fellowship based in Brookline, MA held a 5 day student leadership board retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center August 16th-20th.  Participants attended sessions led by various hosts and clergy, joined together for prayer, fellowship and of course, fun!  To see all of the highlights from the events, please visit our Flickr page for all of the highlights!

Diocese of the Midwest OCA Deacons - St. Macrina Orthodox Institute 8.12-8.13.16

The Diocese of the Midwest OCA Deacons - St. Macrina Orthodox Institue held it's third annual conference at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center 8.12-8.13.16. The group enjoyed listening to speakers, having talks on scripture and history while enjoying the beautiful and serene surroundings at the retreat center.

MGOCSM Youth Retreat 8.5 - 8.7.2016

A Youth Summer Conference held at St. Iakovos Retreat Center August 5-7, 2016.  Participants enjoyed walking the Proskinitaria trails, taking a wagon ride to the Farm and visiting the animals.  Members had a blessed weekend of fellowship, fun and growing in Faith!  They also named our newest resident cat, Aslan,  that chose the Retreat Center for his home during their visit! 

Fanari 2016

FANARI 2016 HAS BEGUN!! This year's campers enjoy many activities including Fanari games, Greek Dancing and Chanting, Arts and Crafts and more!  Campers and staff alike are having an awesome time of fellowship, fun and growing in faith! For all of the highlights of all four sessions, check out the Flickr page!

Great Lakes Church Royal Family Kids Camp 6.13-6.17.16

The St. Iakovos Retreat Center hosted a youth camp June 13-17.  The Royal treatment began with a ride on Royal Bus Lines to the retreat center and it didn't stop until the group left!  Activities included a tea party, a birthday party for all of the campers, swimming, boating on Friendship Lake, and a wagon ride to the barn to meet the animals, just to name a few!  The participants and leaders had a great time, met new friends and made memories to last a lifetime.  To see all of the highlights from the camp, check out our Flickr album

Ancient Faith Ministries Writing and Pod Casting Conference 6-7.- 6.11.16

Ancient Faith Ministries from Chesterton, IN held their Writing and Pod Casting Conference at St. Iakovos Retreat Center 6.9-6-11.16, with the staff holding a retreat 6.7 & 6.8.  Participants enjoyed learning about how the work that they do help so many others and learned different strategies and methods for achieving goals.  This time of fellowship with others that devote so much of themselves to their faith was truly a blessing for all.  Check our FlickR site for more pictures of this event, coming soon!

Wisconsin Clergy Syndesmos Youth Day 6.4.16

St. Iakovos Retreat Center hosted the Wisconsin Syndesmos 10th annual Pan Orthodox Youth Day 6-4-2016.  There were 95 participants from 7 parishes that enjoyed the day of fellowship with old friends while making some new friends as well! Check out all of the highlights from the day on our FlickR album

Philoptochos Board Meeting Weekend 6.3-6.4.16

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Board held their annual meeting at St. Iakovos Retreat Center June 3 and 4th. Twenty ladies stayed overnight to join the President's meeting Saturday where there was over 70 in attendance. They accomplished quite a bit but also had a little fun!

Ahepa Retreat Center Outing 5.21.16

Order of Ahepa #78 from Merrillville, IN visited St. Iakovos Retreat Center for a day retreat May 21st.  Participants enjoyed walking the Proskinitaria Trail, visiting the chapel and taking a wagon ride to the farm to visit the animals. They were also able to marvel at our latest wild resident, a black trumpeter swan that chose the Retreat Center lake to call home! Check out our FlickR Album to see the highlights from the one day Retreat

FaithLife Counseling Center Retreat 5.13-5.15.16

FaithLife Counseling Center Retreat 5.13-5.15.16

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 Retreat 5.9-5.12.16

Clergy Syndesmos Retreat 5.9-5.12.16

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!

Archon Retreat 5.6-5.8.16

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 Retreat Center Feast Day Celebration and Open House 5.6.16

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. Andrew's Church of the East 4.22-4.24.16

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 Youth and Young Adult 4.15-4.17.16

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 Retreat 4.15-4.17.16

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. 

Ζωοδόχος Πηγή Feast Day Celebration & Open House Friday May 6, 2016

            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.