On Saturday, January 18, Father Alexander Kamilaris welcomed congregants to St. Demetrios Church in Daytona Beach after services celebrating the Feast of St. Athanasios the Great saying, “This is reminiscent of gatherings recounted in the book of Acts where the faithful came from afar to witness together as one. May the retreat be a blessing for us all.”
Members of St. Barbara Philoptochos of St. Demetrios hosted over fifty women from parishes throughout northeast Florida. Sts. Anargyroi Chapter of St. John the Divine hosted the regional Philoptochos Women’s Retreat in Jacksonville from 1997 -2018.
“Ringing in the New Year with One Good Thought” featured interactive talks from author of One Good Thought, Edna King and Director of Metropolis of Atlanta Family Life Ministry, Paula Marchman Lekas. Retreat facilitator and Executive Director of St. Photios National Shrine,
Polly Hillier, thanked the St. Photios Foundation for underwriting the costs, Father Alex for providing spiritual wisdom from the beginning to the day’s end and Rev. Dr. Athanasios (Al) Demos who generously gave permission to copy and share his work, “The Triodion, the most complete preparation for the comprehensive celebration of the Feast of Easter.”
The pamphlet is a map with nuances and disciplines during that time of year when one most deeply engages in the liturgical cycle. “One Good Thought” is a 9-chapter book of wisdom and beautiful photography seeking eternal perspectives in a temporary world.