SOUTHAMPTON, NY— The Thirteenth Annual National Archon Lenten Retreat took place on April 15 and 16 at the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Christian Church in Southampton. The theme of the retreat was “The Power of Worship: Insights from Liturgical History, Liturgical Theory, and Liturgical Anthropology.”
The Order of Saint Andrew Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Defenders of the Faith is an organization of laity, leaders of the Orthodox Christian faith who are honored by His Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople for service to the Church. Honorees swear an oath to defend and promote the Greek Orthodox faith and tradition. The retreat was led by Reverend Dr. Stefanos Alexopoulos, assisted by Retreat Pastors Fathers Alexander Karloutsos and Constantine Lazarakis. Following the church services on Friday evening of the Akathist Hymn, a Lenten Fellowship dinner was held at The Muses Hall of the Nicholas A. Zoulas Hellenic Center along with the first presentation on What is Liturgy? Insights from Liturgical History. The program continued on Saturday morning with the Divine Liturgy followed by a light breakfast and the second presentation on What does Liturgy do? Insights from Liturgical Theology. A breakout session and general session followed with discussions held in various rooms and classrooms at the Hellenic Center. The third part of the retreat sessions, What does the Liturgy have to do with me/us? Insights from Liturgical Anthropology, expanded on the previous sessions with thoughts on the faith and its practice in everyday life.
Further discussion continued in the afternoon breakout session and the wrap up of the retreat. The retreat concluded with a dinner at the Old Stove Pub in Sagaponack, NY. Among the pilgrims in attendance at this informative and lively discussion of the faith was Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, the National Commander and Archon Aktouarios of the Order of Saint Andrew. A member of the organization since 1988, Dr. Limberakis is a staunch supporter of religious freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Also in attendance at the retreat, among the numerous Archons and their families, the Honorable Judge B. Theodore Bozonelis Secretary Ekdikos, Archon Hieromnimon Peter J. Skeadas and Archon Ostiarios Michael G. Psaros, co-chairs of the retreat, and businessman Larry Hotzoglou Archon Notarios. Successful in their various fields, the Archons never lose sight of the spiritual in their lives. This retreat helped recharge the spiritual batteries for those in attendance and many look forward to the retreat year after year. As Dr. Limberakis mentioned, the retreat is an “opportunity to energize your Orthodoxy and strengthen your devotion to our Lord and Savior.”
Father Alexopoulos, the Retreat Master is the Assistant Professor of Liturgical Studies and Sacramental Theology at the Catholic University of America School of Theology and Religious Studies in Washington, DC. He and Dr. Liberakis received icons of the Virgin Mary at the conclusion of the retreat. Energized after their retreat, the Archons will continue to serve the needs of the Church and seek religious freedom for the Holy and Great Mother Church of Constantinople to the best of their abilities.