Bishop Gregory of Nyssa to lead 2014 Archon Lenten Retreat, March 21-22

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Bishop Gregory of Nyssa to lead 2014 Archon Lenten Retreat, March 21-22

Bishop Gregory will be this year’s speaker for the 2014 Archon Lenten Retreat, March 21-22.

Download the 2014 Retreat Forms»

Dear Brother Archon,

With the blessings of Archbishop Demetrios of America, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, it is with great joy that we invite you and your families to attend the Eleventh Annual National Archon Lenten Retreat on March 21-22 under the chairmanship of Archon Hieromnimon Peter Skeadas.

Our retreat master will be His Grace Bishop Gregory of Nyssa, of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese. His Grace’s topic will be “Orthodox Christians, Paradise Is In Front of Us, Are We There Yet?” and will be lecturing on the following topics during the Lenten Retreat:

Friday evening, March 21: To Dwell Together in Unity – Psalm 132

Saturday morning, March 22: Confronting and Controlling Our Thoughts

Saturday afternoon, March 22: Repentance and Confession

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 (135 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, NJ 08873; Tel: 732-356-0090).

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 The Holiday Inn Somerset, 195 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, NJ 08873. Call 732-356-1700 and mention the group name “Archons” to qualify for the special rate of $79 per night (arrival March 21). Special rate expires on February 28, 2014.

Sending a check for $50 per person, payable to the “Order of St. Andrew the Apostle” and your completed form, by no later than Friday, March 14, 2014.

The retreat will begin on Friday, March 21 at 6:00 pm with services at the St. Andrew Memorial Church followed by a Lenten Fellowship Dinner at the Ukrainian Cultural Center. On Saturday, March 22, we will convene in the Church at 8:30 am for Divine Liturgy, a light breakfast and the Retreat session. We expect to conclude approximately at 4:00pm with Great Vespers Services at the St. Andrew Memorial Church.

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,