Message from Metropolitan Alexios
My Beloved Ones,
I greet you with love and joy in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Today, I write this message from one of our beautiful communities, St. John the Divine in Jacksonville, Florida, where we are continuing our Biannual Clergy-Laity Assembly. Tomorrow, Friday the 28th, we will be blessed to be a part of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America’s first official visit to our Metropolis of Atlanta. We are humbled and overjoyed to welcome Him so soon after His Enthronement! This Assembly will demonstrate the ways the work of our Metropolis supports His call to “…bring the Holy Archdiocese of America to the greater understanding that we are the Body of Christ, and each of us a precious member.”
Indeed, the theme of this year’s Assembly, which comes from the end of Mark’s Gospel, addresses this topic, as our Lord instructs His Disciples to “Go into the World and Proclaim the Good News to the Whole Creation.” (Mark 16:15) Thinking of evangelizing to “the whole world” can make this task sound frightening; but recalling His Eminence’s words from his first pastoral message, we understand that we are not asked to accomplish this Great Commission on our own; rather, we must work together, supporting one another, the Body of Christ, the Church.
As St. Paul says in His Epistle to the Romans, “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…” (Romans 12:6) This Assembly offers each of us an opportunity to use our individual gifts—as teachers, preachers, choir members, youth workers, organizers, and helpers—to fulfill our Lord’s Commission to spread His Good News—both for His Glory, and to the benefit of everlasting life.
I want to express my gratitude to Fr. Nicholas Louh, the Parish Council president, and Parish Council members, the Philoptochos and all the St. John the Divine family for their warm welcome and hospitality. I also would like to congratulate Archon Nicholas Furris, the Assembly committee, the members of the Metropolis Philoptochos, as well as all the volunteers for the unselfish offering of their time, energy and resources. May this fellowship and time together bring to all of us inspiration and joy as we seek to become even greater disciples of the Lord!
+ALEXIOS
Metropolitan of Atlanta
Youth, Education & Hellenic Culture
St. Stephen’s Summer Camp 2019 Summer 2019 Dates are:
Week 1: June 23 -June 29
Week 2: June 30 - July 6
Week 3: July 7 - July 13
Week 4: July 14 - July 20
Week 5: July 21 - July 27
For more news, activities, and upcoming events, please click this link!
2019 OCAMPR Conference
"The Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology and Religion, an international, pan-Orthodox organization endorsed by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, welcomes presentations of Workshops and Papers at its Annual Conference, " Isolation. Violence. Hope and Communion" which will be held November 7 -9 at Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Glenview, IL (Chicago area).
The Annual Conference offers a unique opportunity for Orthodox clergy, theologians, and healthcare professionals to come together for fellowship and to engage in interdisciplinary dialogue. OCAMPR requests that proposals for presentations reflect professional, academic discussion on critical issues regarding the helping professions and pastoral care, specifically as it relates to our Orthodox Christian faith."
For more submission infornation please click here.
Family Life Ministry
A growing branch of Family Life Ministry and generously powered by Leadership 100, Engage Orthodoxy is a place for anyone to find Orthodox Christian Content curated by a thoughtful and intentional administrative team.
“Engage Orthodoxy” is not only the name of this new site, but it is also the name of a movement away from division and towards unity. Engage Orthodoxy is a movement towards community, involvement, Orthodox friendships, and relationships. EO seeks to bring the the faithful, the curious, the lost, and the searching TOWARDS their faith and Christ and in turn, towards each other. Engage Orthodoxy is a movement forward into the future of the faith. Join us as we move toward Christ, toward each other, and toward the church.
For more information, or to order “Woven: An Interactive Book for the Modern Teenage Girl on Orthodox Christianity” 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.
- Sep 07, 2019 - St. George, Hollywood, 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.
The Strategic Plan
Clergy-Laity Workshops (6/27 & 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, THURSDAY JUNE 27 and FRIDAY JUNE 28.
MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW - Click here for the online portal.
Visit Click here to view a list of the completed goals.