Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) Seventh and Final National Spiritual Philoptochos Retreat

For many years now, our Holy Metropolis began to have Spiritual Retreats for thePhiloptochos Societies across Canada during the Saturdays of Great Lent.

The program of these Saturday Spiritual Retreats include: (i) Divine Liturgy, celebrated only by Metropolitan Sotirios, with the faithful in attendance receiving Holy Communion; (ii) Lenten breakfast for all following the Liturgy; (iii) a Keynote Address by Metropolitan Sotirios on the theme of the year, which this year is “Let the little children come to Me,” and answering the questions of the faithful; (iv) lunch; and (v) a speech given by the Parish Priest of the hosting Community on another pertinent topic, to which he answers questions as well. This year, the topic of the aforementioned speech is “The Reconnection of the Family with the Church.”

The seventh and final Spiritual Retreat of the Philoptochos Societies for the ecclesiastical year September 2016 – August 2017, took place at the Greek Orthodox Community of Chatham, Ontario. Attending this Retreat were members of the Ladies Philoptochos and other ladies from Southwestern Ontario, including the Greek Orthodox Communities of Chatham, London, Sarnia and Windsor.

During the 2016-2017 ecclesiastical year, seven of these Philoptochos Spiritual Retreats took place throughout the various geographic regions of Canada.

This tradition in our Holy Metropolis began about twenty years ago. Although it had humble beginnings, it has progressed to a yearly tradition that Communities eagerly await.

Every Spiritual Retreat is always attended by the neighbouring Greek Orthodox Communities and many members of the National Metropolis Philoptochos Board. Metropolitan Sotirios always delivers a keynote address, along with the Parish Priest of the hosting community.

Metropolitan Sotirios expresses his thanks, along with his admiration to all the members of the National Metropolis Philoptochos Board and to every Philoptochos Society which hosted a Spiritual Philoptochos Retreat this year. It is truly a tradition that has bore much spiritual fruits over the years. Glory be to God for all things.

A blessed Holy Week and Pascha to all! Kali Anastasi!