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Western Region (Chicago Deanery) Lenten Retreat (4/5/25)
The Chicago Deanery Lenten Retreat was held on Saturday, April 5, 2025. It was hosted by St. Michael’s Orthodox Church in Niles, Illinois.
The retreat topic, Modern Heresies, was presented by the Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews, Protopresbyter, an ordained priest of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America serving at Saints Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Glenview, Illinois.
Father Richard’s presentation included discussion on the following topics. Secularism: separating our faith from our life; separation of church and state. Epistemology: the theory of learning; differentiating between truth and falsehood. Humanism: making humans more important than God; role of evolutionary theory. Rationalism: when our primary source of knowledge is intellect; role of science. Pluralism: when we accept all religious paths as equally valid. Phyletism: churches centered on ethnic, national or linguistic cultural expressions. Modern Iconoclasm: Transgenderism/Homosexuality/LGBTQIA+; seeks to destroy the God-created icon of male and female. A lively discussion followed the presentation.
Victoria Karavitis, parishioner at St. Michael’s and CrossRoad Institute Ambassador introduced the CrossRoad program and emphasized its importance for young Orthodox Christians. CrossRoad is a transformative summer program that explores faith, forms lifelong connections, and embraces a Christ-centered calling through engaging academics and authentic community. The program is open to 11th and 12th graders. Go to www.crossroadinstitute.org for more information or to donate.
A Moleben to the Holy Cross was served by Deanery Clergy. Father Samuel Sherry, host pastor, was joined at the altar by Father Gregory Allard (St. Alexis Church, Battle Ground, IN), Father Alexis Miller (Holy Transfiguration Mission, Crawfordsville, IN), Father Lev Holowaty (Descent of the Holy Spirit Church, Schererville, IN), and Father Jonathan Bannon (Christ the Saviour Church, Rockford, IL). Confessions were offered by the visiting clergy.
The afternoon concluded with a Lenten meal and good fellowship.
The retreat topic, Modern Heresies, was presented by the Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews, Protopresbyter, an ordained priest of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America serving at Saints Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Glenview, Illinois.
Father Richard’s presentation included discussion on the following topics. Secularism: separating our faith from our life; separation of church and state. Epistemology: the theory of learning; differentiating between truth and falsehood. Humanism: making humans more important than God; role of evolutionary theory. Rationalism: when our primary source of knowledge is intellect; role of science. Pluralism: when we accept all religious paths as equally valid. Phyletism: churches centered on ethnic, national or linguistic cultural expressions. Modern Iconoclasm: Transgenderism/Homosexuality/LGBTQIA+; seeks to destroy the God-created icon of male and female. A lively discussion followed the presentation.
Victoria Karavitis, parishioner at St. Michael’s and CrossRoad Institute Ambassador introduced the CrossRoad program and emphasized its importance for young Orthodox Christians. CrossRoad is a transformative summer program that explores faith, forms lifelong connections, and embraces a Christ-centered calling through engaging academics and authentic community. The program is open to 11th and 12th graders. Go to www.crossroadinstitute.org for more information or to donate.
A Moleben to the Holy Cross was served by Deanery Clergy. Father Samuel Sherry, host pastor, was joined at the altar by Father Gregory Allard (St. Alexis Church, Battle Ground, IN), Father Alexis Miller (Holy Transfiguration Mission, Crawfordsville, IN), Father Lev Holowaty (Descent of the Holy Spirit Church, Schererville, IN), and Father Jonathan Bannon (Christ the Saviour Church, Rockford, IL). Confessions were offered by the visiting clergy.
The afternoon concluded with a Lenten meal and good fellowship.
Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews (Presentation on Modern Heresies)
One of Father Richard’s favorite images depicting Iconoclasm
Victoria Karavitis (CrossRoad Ambassador)
Gospel Reading, Moleben to the Holy Cross
Chicago Deanery Lenten Retreat Group Photo