My Beloved Ones,

This week our Metropolis of Atlanta continued its beloved tradition of the Winter Youth Rally. This annual event calls to my mind a recent liturgical event commemorated during this Christmas season.

Our Metropolis covers a large area, and so many of the youth in attendance come from places that, while they are all in the Southeast, have subtle differences in geography and culture; Tennessee is as unique as Georgia, which is different from Florida, and so on.

It is in this festive period that our young people—who have been shaped by all our diverse parishes—come together, unified in the Name of our Incarnate Lord. This indeed makes me think of the Magi, or Wise Men, as they are also known.

According to Tradition, the Wise Men were named Gaspar, Balthasar and Melchior, and various sources have their number as coming from countries such as Persia, India, or even China. Recognizing both the royalty and the divinity of the child, they came bearing gifts and worshipped him.

In the same way, our children come. Certainly they do not travel as great a distance—but they leave their homes and families during a blessed season, with a sense of joy and expectation. Their gifts may not be as rich as gold, frankincense, or myrrh—but they offer up their physical and intellectual talents for God’s glory.

The Wise Men have the distinction of being the first pagan Gentiles who were brought to the worship of our Lord. In doing so, they bore witness to God’s love, and His promise of salvation for all mankind. I am always so proud of our young people, who also gather together during this blessed event, in much the same way: to bear witness to the Light, in that spirit of fellowship, truth, and love.

May you continue to have a blessed Christmas, with prosperity in Christ, as we continue our journey through this Holy season.

+ALEXIOS
Metropolitan of Atlanta

The door opened and closed with a bang thousands of times. One angry son left the house and crashed the door shut and the hinge came loose. When he tried to re-enter the door wouldn't open.

“What’s the matter with this door?” he shouted. “Someone let me in.”

“Now, you’ve done it,” said the mother.

“The door isn’t broken,” said the boy, “it is just the hinge.”

“Well, I can’t get it open,” said the mother. “You'll have to wait until father gets home.”

“You push and I’ll pull,” said the boy, “and we will get the door open.”

They succeeded with a struggle and closed the door with a struggle. “You wouldn’t think one little hinge would make such a difference,” said the boy.

It is true that the doorways of life hinge on important matters, which we often take for granted. Christmas hinges on the birth of Christ and the Church teaches of His Spirit; but much of society takes Jesus and the Church for granted.

Democracy hinges on the respect for the rights of every individual, while many take these rights for granted, while denying the privileges to others. Christmas, democracy, the Church, the school, the home, and all good things are short changed by millions who ignore the hinges which swing the doors through which they come and go. In observing Christmas we pause to consider the many to whom we are indebted… those who keep the streets usable, those who keep the electric lines supplied, and those who bring us the mail. Christmas is a time of appreciation because God’s love makes us aware of the many blessings He provides through others. The greatest gift is the gift of love for it makes us aware of all that is good in His creation.

The boy learned the value of the hinge in his own defeat. Some are wise enough to appreciate the things on which life hinges without frustration.

“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders; and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

The message of Christmas is that God intrudes upon the weak and the vulnerable, and this is precisely the message that we so often miss. God does not come to that part of us that struts through life, confident in our self-sufficiency. God leaves His treasure in the broken fragmented places of our life. God comes to us in those rare moments when we are able to transcend our own selfishness long enough to really care about another human being.

On the wall of the museum of the concentration camp at Dachau is a large and moving photograph of a mother and her little girl standing in line of a gas chamber. The child, who is walking in front of her mother, does not know where she is going. The mother, who walks behind, does know, but is helpless to stop the tragedy. In her helplessness she performs the only act of love left to her. She places her hands over the child's eyes so she will at least not see the horror to come. When people come into the museum they do not whisk by this photo hurriedly. They pause. They almost feel the pain. And deep inside I think that they are all saying: “O God, don't let that be all that there is.”

God hears those prayers and it is in just such situations of hopelessness and helplessness that His almighty power is born. It is there that God leaves His treasure, in Mary and in all of us, as Christ is born anew within. Amen!

+Fr. George Tsahakis
Chancellor

            While driving, I often listen to a station that plays the ‘old songs’ and I’m sure for many of you, these are really old songs.  I heard a song the other day, the title of which implied that the singer was ‘all alone and feeling blue’, “Me and My Shadow”.  But while a shadow may be dark, it can be a blessing, as well.  Some can appear so unimportant when they cast shadows in our path, that we completely ignore them as they pass us.  The star of Bethlehem, however, cast a shadow of light that the Magi could not disregard.  These great men paused to search the skies, their books and to follow this shadow, which led them and us to a future of hope and salvation.

            As we end the year 2016 and enter the new chronological year, I hope you take time to reflect and search as the Wise Men did before you go full speed forward packing up Christmas and returning to a routine life.  Slow down and think about the shadow case by 2016 and the light that 2017 will shine in your life.  Remember, you’re a year older and a year wiser.  Reflect on:

--the goodness and grace of God in your life;

--the personal promises you have made and their fulfillment;

--the type of service you have given to others and to your Church;

--the personal inspiration you have derived from your devotional life;

--the rewards of Orthodox Christian fellowship received in you Church, and

--the growth of your spiritual and emotional stature.

            Once you have reflected on the shadow of the past year, it’s time to ask what the New Year will bring.  What opportunities and choices lie ahead?  With what spirit, attitudes, values and way of life will you meet the events and experiences of the New Year?

            Some goals that can be set for the New Year are practicing gratitude, encountering the Lord daily, nurturing friendships, being a good steward in time talent and treasure, being a positive influence in your parish, becoming healthier and continuing to practice a Christian Orthodox lifestyle.

            You can grow spiritually in the New year by searching your book, THE BIBLE and for your convenience, many parishes will provide a Daily bible Reading Guide for Orthodox Christians, so that in one year you can read the entire Bible.  There is always something new to learn from it, and, in fact, that’s a personal goal for me in the New Year, too!

            Hearing that old song, I am assured that I’m not alone ‘strolling down the avenue’ but that our Lord is with me and with you now and in the New Year.  Whatever 2017 will bring, I pray it be a hopeful blessing to you.  Let the New Year be one of freedom from sin, a year of renewed service to others and to your parish, full of love and dedication a year of trust in god, so it will be productive and prosperous from the beginning to the end.  The year 2017 may be the best or the hardest year you will ever know, but it can be the happiest for you if you have a strong faith in our Lord

            Grasping the opportunity to reflect on the blessing of the past year, relinquished my position as the Dean of the St. Nicholas Cathedral in Tarpon Springs and assuming a new position as the Proistamenos of Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene in Palm, Harbor, FL, my personal thoughts are a prayer of thanks for the support and love of so many.  To my former  and to my new co-workers in the earthly vineyard of the Lord, whom I am privileged to serve as a shepherd of His sacred work, a sincere token of appreciation and gratitude for the blessings of you.

            A HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW YEAR!

+Fr. James Rousakis

The Metropolis of Atlanta’s Family Life Ministry (www.familylifeministry.atlanta.goarch.org) strengthens individuals, families and church families through adaptable programs, blogs and educational materials as a means of fostering connection within our homes and our parishes. Featured blogs include:

• Check out our One Good Thought video series!

Journey of Marriage (Pre-Marital Seminar)

All couples marrying in the Metropolis must attend a Metropolis-sponsored Journey of Marriage seminar prior to their wedding. The couple will present their certificate of completion to their parish priest after the seminar. 

• January 14, 2017 - Jacksonville, FL
• January 21, 2017 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• January 28, 2017 - Atlanta, GA

To see the full list of seminars through 2017, and to register, please visit:http://www.familylifeministry.atlanta.goarch.org/upcoming-events-2/