Message from Metropolitan Alexios
My Beloved Ones,
We are still in the season where we have been called to prepare ourselves for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. I say “coming” for we strongly believe, in our Orthodox Church, that His Birth comes every year, not just once two-thousand years ago. The Nativity is therefore the celebration of an event that takes place in the present, “Χριστός Γεννάται δοξάσατε! Christ is Born! Glorify Him!”
Understanding that this event is a present one requires a certain kind of preparation for the Orthodox Christian. The Nativity Fast is meant to serve as a means to preparing ourselves to meet our Creator.
Unfortunately, sometimes we misunderstand the ways in which we can prepare ourselves. For example, the habit of exchanging Christmas gifts is indeed a Godly oriented practice, for we commemorate the gift that we will receive on Christmas: God’s Only Begotten Son. However, in all this searching for “the perfect gift” it can become too easy to forget ourselves, and what we can give to God.
There is a beautiful story concerning St. Ieronymos, who in the midst of all the festive Christmas spirit, was instead crying out to God, feeling that he had nothing to offer. Suddenly, he heard a voice, “Yes, my son, you have the greatest gift of all.” This made the Saint cry all the more, believing he had misplaced a gift. “What is it, so that I might offer it?” “Your sins,” the voice replied. God expects only our purified and contrite hearts, in return for all His Goodness.
The Ancient Greek philosophers were known to say, γνῶθι σαυτόν, “Know thyself.” This is a struggle that God expects us to undertake, despite its difficulty. In order for us to know Jesus Christ—to truly prepare for His coming—we must examine our actions; our past and present, in order to live a better future as more compassionate and charitable human beings.
The Birth of our Lord is the gift of love coming into this world. Therefore, let us practice these wonderful virtues toward our fellow men and ikons of God. In this way, we will be truly prepared to experience the joy of Christmas.
+ALEXIOS
Metropolitan of Atlanta
Youth, Education and Hellenic Culture
For information on Policies for the Safety of Youth and Children, please click this link! Please remember that all parishes must comply and sign their parish contracts by December 1 to host any youth ministry programs or events on the parish level (Sunday School) or to participate on a District or Metropolis Level Events (Retreats, WYR & HDF).
For Youth activities like Winter Youth Rally, HDF, or the Connect Conference, click this link!
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.
- Jan 18, 2020 - Annunciation, Ft Myers, 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)
FOUR OF THE WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS WERE TAPED AND WILL BE PUT IN THE COMPLETED MATERIALS SECTION OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN WEBSITE IN THE COMING WEEKS.
STAY TUNED
Take a look at the online portal.
Vist www.atlstrategicplan.org/portal to view a list of the several goals completed in 2017.