Message from Metropolitan Alexios
My Beloved Ones,
This Sunday, we hear two important messages about the limits of faith without love. The first comes from our Lord’s story of poor Lazarus who lay at the gates of a Rich Man’s home, longing “…to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table…” (Luke 16:21). When the time came for each man to depart this life, they were given that which they sowed on earth: “The poor man died and was carried away by the angels... The rich man also died…and in Hades…he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus…” (Luke 16:22-23). Now the man who would not think to welcome Lazarus into his home asked that Abraham send Lazarus to dip only a finger in water, to cool his tongue.
Abraham, however, reminded him that “…during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony” (Luke 16:25). The parable then becomes a discussion in which Abraham refuses the Rich Man’s request to send Lazarus to warn the Rich Man’s five brothers to repent, because, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead’” (Luke 16:31). However, I would like to draw connections between this, and the Epistle, which comes to us as one of the most beloved scriptural passages.
To the Corinthians, St. Paul writes of where we might find our places in the Church. “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:29-31). St. Paul understands that despite spiritual gifts, faith, and belief, “If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:1-2). The Rich Man certainly did not show love for Lazarus; but even in death, he never expressed remorse for his sin, only concern for his brothers. Indeed, St. Paul also condemn those who, like the Rich Man, claim piety, but only out of pride. “If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3).
This love—true love—comes from emulating God because it is Godly: “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends” (Corinthians 13:4-8). May it be so, for all of God’s people, as we strive to live and act in the footsteps of our Lord, who truly showed us how to love; both in words and deeds, but especially through His Life-giving Incarnation, Passion, and Resurrection.
+ALEXIOS
Metropolitan of Atlanta
Diakonia Retreat Center October Matching Campaign
Dear faithful friends of The Diakonia Retreat Center,
We have made terrific progress in our October Matching Campaign. With only one more week to go, we are only a few thousand dollars away from our goal of $25,000. We can do this! Please consider making a gift now.
Thank you to all those who have already contributed. Your loving support helps us continue to pay our regular bills during this incredibly difficult season that we have had to close the DRC due to the pandemic.
As a reminder, if you would like to reserve a spot at the DRC for a weekend of prayer and relaxation, email diakoniaretreatoffice@yahoo.com
Thank you for supporting our Metropolis Diakonia Retreat Center- A place of life transformation which enables growth in faith, family and friendships.
Donate Now
Thank you for your constant expression of love toward our wonderful DRC.
With a grateful heart,
Mark G. Moraitakis
DRC Board Co-Chair
COVID-19 Resources
How to Survive With 2020 Vision
2020 has been a very tough year!
~ a once in a lifetime deadly COVID-19 pandemic
~ forced isolation and separation from each other
~ a shutdown of our churches and businesses
~ the closure of schools
~ unprecedented health and financial difficulties
~ a very divided country
~ contentious elections and political climate
~ significant civil unrest
~ a polarizing press and media
~ negative and divisive social media attacks
~ disruptive mobs
~ higher depression, suicide and murder rates
~ increased despair
~ and the list goes on and on...
No one has escaped this unprecedented combination of horribly disruptive crises. Some believe that, from now on, "2020" will be used to describe something messed up or bad (e.g., "sorry you're experiencing a 2020").
However, this year has also allowed us to have 2020 “perfect” vision about many things. 2020 vision is the gold standard of absolute clarity of what is both near and far.
So, how can we make it through the rest of this difficult year and have a better life and attitude? When the COVID-19 pandemic is just the story that you tell, what will be the story that you tell?
We will discuss 3 practical, proven, and theologically supported things you can do right now in your life to make it better. We will also RESPECTFULLY discuss some of the "challenges" we are experiencing and must overcome with a "mistake maestro," someone who has done so many goofy things and made so many mistakes that his expertise is undeniable.
On Wednesday, October 7th, please join Stewardship Calling Live on Ancient Faith Radio by logging into: https://www.ancientfaith.com/radio/live starting at 8:00 p.m. Eastern (7 Central – 6 Mountain – 5 pacific). These 3 answers on how to survive and thrive for the rest of this year as we acquire 2020 vision for a better tomorrow and 2021 are inspired by the Holy Gospel and have been validated by science and in real life.
You can also let your voice be heard by calling: 1-855-AFRADIO (1-855-237-2346) or by joining the chat room at: https://www.ancientfaith.com/radio/live
Please share the following flyer for this program with your family, friends, community or anyone who may need some help getting through these troubled times: 2020 VISION FLYER
Have a blessed day.
Bill Marianes
Bill@stewardshipcalling.com
www.stewardshipcalling.com
New OCAMPR website and COVID-19 Resources
Christ is in our midst! In response to the challenges we are facing in our communities, country, and worldwide, OCAMPR is reaching out to provide assistance to care professionals at this time. Please visit the new OCAMPR website and our COVID-19 Resources page: https://www.ocampr.org/covid-19-resources.html It contains links to the best resources for healthcare professionals as we serve our clients, patients, and parishes. Consider contributing useful information that you have found or developed. We are in the process of developing additional resources that might be useful.
We’re particularly interested in supporting the professionals on the frontlines, many of whom are carrying additional risks and burdens. It is easy to be overworked and isolated specifically as the stresses and complexities of care-providing increase.
Visit our Support for Frontline Professionals page:
https://www.ocampr.org/support-for-frontline-healthcare-professionals.html Here you may sign up for prayer support, receive a daily quote and reflection, or share your work experiences. Please share these resources with anyone whom you think might benefit.
We know that these are unique times for all of us, and we also know that we have been invited to provide important care at this time. OCAMPR seeks to support each healthcare professional because we do not need to respond alone. If you have any questions, comments, or specific needs that OCAMPR can assist you with at this time, do not hesitate to reach out to us at ocamprinfo@gmail.com. We seek to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) at this time as we offer our skills and services in faith and in love.
May our God of mercy, compassion, and love, through the prayers of His Most Holy Mother, Sts. Kosmas and Damian, St. Luke the Physician, and all the Saints be with all of you in the Lenten Season.
in Christ,
OCAMPR Executive Board
Youth, Education and Hellenic Culture
For information on Policies for the Safety of Youth and Children, please click https://atlmetropolis.org/policies-for-the-safety-of-youth-and-children! 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).
September 9, 2020
My Brothers in the Lord,
I greet you with love and joy in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! I pray that we all experienced a blessed and joyous feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos.
As we enter this period of the new Ecclesiastical Year, the Metropolis turns its attention to those beautiful events: the Winter Youth Rally & Hellenic Dance Festival. Both WYR and HDF remain committed to safe environments for our Metropolis faithful to come together in fellowship, worship, and dance. Indeed, the Metropolis continues to closely monitor the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, in accordance with CDC, State and Federal Guidelines.
Therefore it is with a heavy but clear heart that I write to inform you, based on the recommendation from both the WYR Committee & the HDF Executive Committee(in consultation with our Metropolis Administration, and the Clergy Syndesmos) we feel the safest and most prudent decision is to cancel this year’s Winter Youth Rally, and the Hellenic Dance Festival for 2021.
While this news must surely come as a disappointment, please know that your WYR and HDF teams are working diligently, in coordination with the Metropolis Youth Office, to prepare a few educational events, webinars and opportunities, which will allow us to celebrate our Hellenic Culture and Faith, while observing proper safety measures.
Thanking all the Metropolis faithful--grandparents, parents, and children--for theircontinued patience, and encouraging our continued prayerful intercessions to our Most-Holy Mother, I remain,
Paternally yours with love and blessings in the Lord,
+ A L E X I O S
Metropolitan of Atlanta
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.
To see the full list of seminars in Florida and in our entire Metropolis for 2020 and beyond, and to register, please visit: https://atlmetropolis.org/pre-marital-seminars-journey-of-marriage
Registration is online. Materials costs are included in the registration. The seminars are currently being conducted by Zoom meeting.
The Strategic Plan
➩ Updates to atlstrategicplan.org ⇦
Have you gone to the atlstrategicplan.org website to find completed materials covering Stewardship or Outreach, Best Educational Materials or Youth Worker Training?
Now you can watch videos in each of these 4 areas to learn from the experts!
Workshops at the 2019 Metropolis Clergy-Laity Assembly in Jacksonville, Florida on these topics were videotaped to provide additional materials to help parishes in these areas.
The Stewardship Training video can be found here: https://atlstrategicplan.org/home/completed-goal-materials/9-1-comprehensive-stewardship-program
The Best Education Materials Training video can be found here: https://atlstrategicplan.org/home/completed-goal-materials/4-1-best-education-materials/
The Outreach, Evangelism, and Philanthropy Training video can be found here: https://atlstrategicplan.org/home/completed-goal-materials/7-1-outreach-evangelism-and-philanthropy
The Youth Worker Program Training Video can be found here: https://atlstrategicplan.org/home/completed-goal-materials/11-2-youth-worker-program/
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Take a look at the online portal.
Vist www.atlstrategicplan.org/portal to view a list of the completed goals.
M
On this week's episode of "Live with the Louhs," a radio ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, Fr. Nicholas Louh and his wife, Clinical Psychologist Dr. Roxanne Louh speak with Tim Tassopoulos, President and COO of Chick Fil-A on the power of "Servant Leadership."
The Center for Family Care is excited to announce the launching of a twice monthly, online ministry designed to lift up the unique gifts of individuals and families with special needs.