Chicago Metropolis Launches Mission-Focused Discernment on Retreat Center’s Future
Met. Nathanael calls clergy and faithful to prayerful decision-making amid $2.3 million debt.
CHICAGO — The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, led by His Eminence Met. Nathanael, has begun a mission-centered discernment process to determine how every ministry and resource, including the St. Iakovos Retreat Center (SIRC) in Wisconsin, can best serve the Church’s calling to bring all people to Christ.
In a letter to parishes, Met. Nathanael stressed that the initiative goes beyond addressing financial challenges. “This discernment process cannot and must not be reduced to simply figuring out how to pay off a debt or how to make use of a piece of property,” he wrote, urging clergy and faithful to focus on advancing the Church’s sacred mission.
The $2.3 million debt tied to SIRC — due in 2027 — remains the Metropolis’ largest financial liability. To respond faithfully, a multi-step process is underway, including a working group of financial experts, virtual town halls, parish leadership engagement, evaluations of parish commitments, exploration of Fanari Camp alternatives, and transparent reporting, culminating in discussions at the November 2025 Clergy-Laity Assembly.
Since his enthronement in 2018, Met. Nathanael has sought to preserve SIRC as a place of ministry and community while resisting the view of it as merely a financial burden. Despite improvements and partial debt forgiveness, the center continues to operate at a deficit, with only one-third of parishes using it regularly since 2015.
"Owning, developing, and maintaining property is not our mission; nurturing our youth in Christ is," His Eminence said. "Whatever path we choose, the sacred work of our youth ministries will continue."
The Metropolis is inviting clergy, faithful, and friends to participate in the discernment process through prayer and dialogue. Updates are available at www.chicago.goarch.org/sircdiscernment.
