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Chicago Philoptochos Holds Annual Lenten Retreat

Event Keynote Speakers Father Timothy Sas and Father Stamatios Sfikas

JUSTICE, IL: Over 165 members of the Metropolis of Chicago chapters of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society gathered Saturday at the Holy Cross Church in Justice for their annual Lenten Retreat. While many Christians observed the Easter holiday this weekend, for Orthodox Christians the season of Great is just underway (Orthodox celebrate Easter on May 1 this year). This annual event is a highlight for the Philoptochos (“lovers of the poor”) members gathered in fellowship and focusing on spiritual themes.

The retreats’s theme, “Humility: The Key to the Kingdom,” was concurrently introduced in both Greek, by Father Stamatios Sfikas of Annunciation Cathedral in Chicago, and in English by Father Timothy Sas of Twelve Holy Apostles Church in Duluth, Minnesota.

His Eminence Metropolitian Iakovos of Chicago joined the gathering midday to express his appreciation for the Philoptochos Society and the great work they do for the Metropolis of Chicago. The event, hosted by the Holy Cross Church and its pastor Father Demetri Kounavis, was co-chaired by Christina Hiotis of Holy Trinity Church in Chicago, Carol Stamas of the Ascension of Our Lord Church in Lincolnshire, and Marilyn Tzakis of the St. Andrew Church in Chicago.

The Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Board, under the leadership of Pam Argyris of St. Sophia Church in Elgin, IL, coordinates the local Metropolis of Chicago parish chapters of the National Greek Orthodox Ladies’ Philoptochos Society, the primary philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Church in the United States. You can find more information on the Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos by following this link.