Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago Opens St Iakovos Retreat Center

NEW LEADER OF METROPOLIS OF CHICAGO MAKES FIRST VISIT AND OFFICIATES FEAST DAY LITURGY FOR RETREAT CENTER’S CHAPEL OF THE LIFE-GIVING SPRING

KANSASVILLE, WI: Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago, spiritual leader of all Greek Orthodox parishioners within Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota as well as large portions of Missouri and Indiana, visited the St. Iakovos Retreat Center in Kansasville on Friday, April 13. The yearly visit of the Metropolitan to this part of Wisconsin was for the official opening of the St Iakovos Retreat Center with the service of the Feast Day of the St. Iakovos Retreat Center Chapel; the Chapel of the Life-giving Spring (Ζωοδόχος Πηγή). This was the first visit by the new Metropolitan of Chicago to this Retreat Center.

The day began with Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, followed by a lunch hosted by the St. Iakovos Retreat Center Board.

The establishment of the St. Iakovos Retreat Center, which serves as the site of the Summer FANARI Youth Camp amongst other activities, was an accomplishment of Metropolitan Iakovos of Blessed Memory 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.

Eastern Orthodox Christians are the second largest Christian faith tradition worldwide. The Metropolis of Chicago oversees all Greek Orthodox Parishes within Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, as well as large portions of Missouri and Indiana. You can find more information on His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago on our website: www.chicago.goarch.org.