Some Questions and Answers
Who is responsible for the cost of the Retreat?
Your parish. As cited in the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council Guidelines, “The National Clergy Retreat (NCR) of the Archdiocese of America will be organized by the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council and held biennially on the off year of the Clergy Laity Congress. All expenses for clergy participants are to be covered by their individual Parish, as per the Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the remunerative standards for clergy established by the Clergy Compensation Plan that is issued annually.” Exceptions to this directive must be approved by the local Metropolitan.
Further, the Archdiocese Uniform Parish Regulations (Article 17 (Clergy), Section 8), state: “The Archdiocesan Council and the Archdiocesan Benefits Committee will establish remunerative standards for the Clergy. These standards, for the following year, shall be sent to each Parish annually, by September 30,” and in the Clergy Compensation Guidelines referred to therein, it is noted: “The Parish must provide… Expenses for attending District/Metropolis Clergy-Laity Assemblies and Retreats, the Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress, Clergy Continuing Education Programs, and the Archdiocese Presbyters Council Retreat.”
What is the cost of the Retreat?
It depends on your choice in a number of factors: Registration, Hotel and Travel
Registration: $495-$625
Register by September 1, 2025 pay only $495 - a savings of $130 over the regular rate of $625.
Hotel: $259 + tax
Rooms are an affordable $259/night single or double occupancy, so save money by sharing a room with a friend and cut your cost for three nights to $388.50 + tax or $777 + tax for a single.
Travel: $200-$475
Airfares to Ft. Meyers (RSW) are ranging around $200-$475. Book early! Add an Uber or taxi to get to the hotel at around $40.
That puts the total cost range between $1200 and $1700 depending on your choices of registration, rooming, transportation and location.
What is the registration cancellation policy?
The APC understands that clergy schedules are subject to change due to issues beyond our control and has established the following refund policy. It allows a partial refund for cancellations by September 1, 2025.
By September 1, 2025
Cancellations requested by September 1, 2025 will receive a refund of the registration fee paid less a $100 cancellation fee.
After September 1, 2025
Cancellations requested after September 1, 2025 will not receive a refund due to guarantees and expenses incurred by the retreat as a result of the registration.
Important hotel cancellation note: Registrants who cancel are responsible for cancelling their hotel reservations. Failure to do so may result in hotel cancellation charges.
What is included in the registration fee?
The APC wants to make this as all-inclusive and worry-free as possible for our hard-working brothers, and great efforts have been made to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses, so the registration fee includes:
- All scheduled events
- All scheduled meals*
- All event transportation
- All Adventures except golf club rentals
- Hospitality Suite
*Notes: Tuesday and Wednesday lunches are not scheduled group meals and are on your own. Golf Adventure does not include club rentals.
Is financial assistance available?
The overall cost of the retreat is greatly lowered for all clergy through a generous grant from the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund. This makes the event more affordable for all. Additionally, limited financial assistance is available for clergy with demonstrated need through the Leadershp grant and through APC and Metropolis Clergy Syndesmos resources. Clergy should contact their local Syndesmos representative for information. A list of representatives can be found here.
Important note: All requests for financial assistance must be received by the Early Bird registration discount date of September 1, 2023.
Is the Retreat for couples or clergy only?
The National Clergy Retreat is, by definition and as indicated in the registration information, a clergy only event, just as the National Sisterhood of Presvyteres is a women’s retreat only. Our schedule, meals and other events are designed with the full participation of the clergy registrants in mind. Because attendance at any session, meal, adventure or other retreat function is limited to paid clergy participants. Please understand that wives or other guests do not have the opportunity to participate.
The APC does, however, place a great emphasis on healthy clergy couple relationships, and since the Naples Grande Beach Resort is a beautiful location at a great price, clergy may want to enjoy some time there with their presvyteres before or after the retreat. So, wives and families are welcome to be present for the three days BEFORE the retreat or the three days AFTER, but are kindly asked to NOT be present on-site DURING the retreat itself.
We encourage all our Presvyteres to attend the NSP Retreat October 15-18 in San Antonio, TX. See nsp.goarch.org.
Is attendance at Retreat events required?
The affordable registration and hotel rates are made possible as incentives to participate in the entire retreat, and all attendees are expected to receive the full benefit of the retreat by participating in all events.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The discounted hotel rate is available only to clergy who register and participate in the retreat events. Attendees who register but do not participate in the retreat will be charged full room rates.