Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey Holds Altar Servers Retreat at St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church in Broomall, PA

Westfield, New Jersey – On Saturday, February 11, 2023, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey, with the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, held an altar servers retreat at St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church in Broomall, PA. Fifty acolytes from the Delaware Valley region of the Metropolis gathered at St. Luke for a day of learning and fellowship. The retreat was led by His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia. His Grace instructed the acolytes on the structure of the physical church building, the iconography present in the church, as well as the different liturgical items which are used during the divine services.

During the second session of the retreat, Dn. Konstantinos Loukas, the Youth Director of the Metropolis of New Jersey, spoke to the acolytes about the importance of having Christ be the guiding Light of their life in any endeavors they undertake. The Chancellor of the Metropolis of New Jersey, the V. Rev. Archimandrite Fr. Christoforos Oikonomidis, as well as Fr. Christ Kontos, Fr. Peter Thornberg, Fr. Philemon Patitsas, and Fr. Zisis Lappas were in attendance and also addressed the altar boys and spoke to them about our beloved seminary in Boston, Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.

Closing the event, His Grace Bishop Apostolos thanked Fr. Christ Kontos, the Proistamenos of St. Luke, and Dn. Konstantinos, who organized this event along with the ladies of the Philoptochos of St. Luke. As a parting gift, His Grace gave all of the acolytes a Bible for their continued spiritual edification, conveyed the paternal blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, and wished them a blessed Lent