Message from Metropolitan Alexios
My Beloved Ones,
I greet you with love and joy in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as we are blessed once more to begin our preparations for Great Lent, with that period known as Triodion. Of course, as Orthodox Christians, we know that each week of preparation imparts to us a specific fruit of the Spirit, to help us make the most of the Lenten Fast. With this Sunday’s parable of the self-righteous Pharisee and the penitent Publican, we understand that “…everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 18:14). Today, however, I wish to examine this Sunday’s Epistle, and the strong way it gives us this same lesson.
In this letter to his disciple Timothy, Paul is instructing him to hold fast to his faith. Remember, of course, that in these times, it was illegal to be a Christian. Persecution was widespread, and many horrible torments caused some to renounce their faith in Christ. St. Paul understands that Timothy, the son of a pagan father and a Christian mother could benefit from this support to stand firm in his baptism.
How does he do this? St. Paul reminds Timothy that the young man has not only witnessed “…my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness” but also, “my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra…” (II Timothy 3:10-11). In Antioch, there was of course the discussion of whether Gentiles must submit to circumcision before accepting Christ. In Inconium, Paul and Barnabas’s ministry stirred up anger in the hearts of many Jews and Pagans, and they barely escaped death. Traveling to Lystra, they were received with great ceremony by the Pagans—but only because the people saw them as the human incarnations of the Greek Gods. When Paul and Barnabas denounced their false understandings and proclaimed Jesus Christ, Paul was stoned, surviving, before returning to Antioch.
Truly, Paul seeks to demonstrate to the reader that being a Christian is not always easy, or even pleasant. To follow Christ means we must risk being seen strange, or even suspicious, by non-believers. Paul confirms this when he next tells Timothy, “Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived” (II Timothy 3:12-13). Think of the Pharisee, who despite being boastful and judgmental, was viewed with respect by all the people. Now, think of the tax collector, who, even in his understanding that he was a fallen, sinful human being, was still judged by the hypocritical Pharisee, and by his fellow neighbors.
As we consider the importance of humbling ourselves like the Publican, we cannot lose sight of the fact that the exalting of which our Lord speaks in His Parable is not of this world. The humble will be exalted in the Kingdom of Heaven, but we must first be willing, like St. Paul, to suffer the judgements of this world, with a broken and contrite spirit, clinging forever to our Rock, which is Christ, and the Teachings and Traditions of His Holy Church.
+ALEXIOS
Metropolitan of Atlanta
From the Chancellor's Desk
The story is told of a cold winter Sunday morning, when the parking lot to the church was filling up quickly. Church members were whispering among themselves as they walked into the church, skirting around the man leaning up against the wall outside the church. He was almost lying down as if he was asleep. His long trench coat was in shreds and a hat concealed his face. He wore shoes that looked 30 years old, too small, and so holey that his toes stuck out. He was homeless, asleep, and ignored.
The congregation gathered in the Narthex and fellowshipped for a few minutes, including some gossip about the man lying outside. But, no one went out to ask him to come in from the cold, let alone take him a cup of coffee.
As the Choir concluded the Great Doxology at the end of the Orthros Service, the church doors opened, and in shuffled the homeless man. A stunned gasp was loosed, and faces made as he shambled up the aisle head down, making a bee-line for the door leading to the entrance of the side of the Altar. When he re-appeared in his priestly vestments, the hearts of the people sank as they recognized their Parish Priest.
No one said a word. When the time came for him to offer the sermon, the Priest took his Bible and opened it saying, “My brothers and sisters in Christ, I don’t have to tell you what I am preaching about today. ‘For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Gal. 5:14)
During this coming week, if our Lord suddenly appears in our midst and asks each of us whether we truly have obeyed this commandment, how will we answer Him? Furthermore, if He asks us whether we have forgiven those who have harmed or transgressed against us, what will we offer as a response? The Good News, my brothers and sisters in Christ, is God’s mercy and forgiveness is unconditional and accessible to each of us every moment of our lives . . . there is still time to respond accordingly. Glory to Him always
+Very Rev. Fr. George Tsahakis
Chancellor
The Strategic Plan
Faith Forum (6/28/19)
Want to learn the latest best practices on how to grow your parish?
How about learning to create a plan for the future of your parish?
How do I fund the essential ministries of my parish and become less dependent on fund raisers?
Have I covered all the significant risks to my parish and what risks go beyond insurance coverage?
Are my religious education programs covering all that they should and are they effective? Is leadership training important to my role in the parish?
If you and your fellow parishioners have ever discussed these topics and you want to learn more, then …
PLAN TO PARTICIPATE AT THIS YEAR'S METROPOLIS CLERGY-LAITY ASSEMBLY, FRIDAY JUNE 28.
MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW - Click here for the online portal.
Visit Click here to view a list of the completed goals.
Family Life Ministry
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.
Join Paula and Edna as they discuss the latest book from with FLM, “Woven: An Interactive Book for the Modern Teenage Girl on Orthodox Christianity” with Bobby Maddex from Ancient Faith Ministries.
For more information, or to order "Woven" please visit, woveninhislove.org
We also share with you helpful links from the OCN and the Family Life Ministry of the Metropolis of Atlanta.
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.
- May 4, 2019 - St. Andrew - Kendall, FL
To see the full list of seminars in Florida and in our entire Metropolis please visit: http://www.familylifeministry.atlanta.goarch.org/upcoming-events-2/
Registration is online. Materials costs are included in the registration.
Shop with Amazon, donate to the DRC
Amazon Smile is a program that allows for 0.5% of your eligible Amazon purchase to be donated to the Diakonia Retreat Center (No Added Cost To You). To find our Amazon Smile page, visit https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-2187047.