Divine Liturgy and Other Services
Orthos 8:45am (live streamed)
Divine Liturgy 10:00am (live streamed)
Week Day Liturgies:
Regular Vespers/Paracleseis
Wednesday evenings at 6:00 pm unless otherwise noted on the calendar.
December 12 8:00 am Liturgy St. Spyridon
December 19-20 8:00 am Liturgies in preparation for the Nativity of our Lord
December 23 8:30 am Readers Royal Hours and Vespers
December 24 6:00 pm Orthros and Liturgy of the Nativity of our Lord, followed by a Champaign Reception
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WEBSITE: ST PHILOTHEA.ORG
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Philoptochos
12/04/2022
UPDATE: A big Thank you to PR Christine and Stephanie K for chairing our OCAF Market booth. Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who helped staffed, boxed, baked, and sale. A great success and sold all the Baklava but still have many cookies left over. Come see a Philoptochos member at church to purchase more or come to this week's Spaghetti Supper.
The OCAF HOLIDAY MARKET FUNDRAISER in downtown Watkinsville. We will be selling Greek pastries as a fundraiser to help those in need. This is our biggest event of the year! If you would like to help please call 706-340-6366
Angel Tree
12/04/2022
Angel Tree Festival TODAY
Update: Thank you to Kate M for chairing this amazing outreach program and organizing an incredible well run event. Thank you to all the volunteers and all those who helped purchased presents, decorated cars, helped set up, serve food, run a booth, and never stopped giving. Well done!
WE DID IT! All 72 children have found generous donors who will be providing Christmas gifts on behalf of their incarcerated parent. We thank God for your ability and willingness to help. Please be sure to have your wrapped gifts at the Church by Wednesday, December 1.
If you like to know more about Angel Tree please click HERE.
House Blessings
HOUSE BLESSING SIGN-UP: Please sign up here to have Fr. Anthony Come bless your home following the feast of Theophany
To add your name, please Click HERE.
Christmas Card Sign Up
Christmas Card sign up. Add your family names in out annual Christmas card! Prayfully donate what you can all donations will go to needy members in our local community. We'll have a sign up sheet on line soon, you can check St Philothea's website or sign up at church. Available until December 18th.
Parish Council
12/05/2022
Parish Council NOMINATIONS STILL OPEN
Parish Council Elections will be December 11th
Anyone sitting for Parish Council elections, even if you have been on Parish Council before, must participate in a mandatory Training Seminar on Monday Dec. 5, from 5:30-7:00 pm. If you do not participate you will not be allowed to stand for election on the 11th of December.
Grief Support
12/05/2022
Grief Support Group Will meet Monday, December 5 and 19, at the church from 7:00-8:00 pm. Meets every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. All are welcome.
OCF News
12/06/2022
OCF: "Chew and Chat” Will meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month.
The last meeting of the semester will be Tuesday, December 6th. We will have a paint and sip gift exchange at the church.
Fr. Anthony is icon painting on Campus Weekly Thurs. at Tate Center Plaza 11-3 p.m. Spread the word and stop by and say "Hello".
OCF DINNERS If you would like to host an OCF dinner this Semester we will be meeting outdoors or in the Social Hall the second and forth Thursdays of the month. You can either cook and deliver a meal or give $85 for takeout. We have a good group returning this year and have added new faces, and we thank you for your support. Sign-up online HERE or with Fr. Anthony if you would like to host a dinner.
ACTS Food Bank
12/06/2022
Volunteer at the ACTS Food Bank: St. Philothea’s remaining date to volunteer this year is Tuesday, December 6th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Let Roy Stamey or Fr. Anthony know if you plan to work.
Any and all support is appreciated! (Area Churches Together Serving)
Inquirer's Class
12/07/2022
INQUIRERS CLASS HAS BEGUN: We continue our journey through Introducing the Orthodox Church by Fr. Anthony Coniaris as our text book, which can be purchased from Amazon or as a Kindle. December we will discuss Order of Services, Fasting, Almsgiving, Spirituality, Confession, Spiritual Fathers, The Philokalia, The Home Church, Orthodox Arts Icons, Hymns, Architecture, Vestments & Ecclesiastical Tools
The Curriculum and schedule can be downloaded here. A Signup sheet is available HERE, A Zoom Announcement will go out to those who have signed up each week, for our Wednesday meetings on Dec. 7th and Dec. 14th at the Salzman’s home. January's classes are scheduled for Jan. 11 and 25th.
Please contact Fr. Anthony if you would like to participate. A Sign-up sheet is available, along with dates, and a syllabus.
For more information contact Fr. Anthony or email prchristine@ilicons.us
Youth Protection Training
12/07/2022
Child Protection Training Renewal: Background checks for Youth workers are now Please reach out to Panayiota Damianeas for information on how to complete the procedure.
Spaghetti Dinners
12/08/2022
Spaghetti Dinners on the second Thursday of the month from 6:00-7:00pm. Invite your friends for Thursday, December 8, 2022.
**Dinner includes spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, dessert and drink. Marinara sauce is available on fasting days. Live entertainment.
Volunteers are needed and eat for free. If you would like to help please contact Kristopher Knisely at 229-854-0299
This fundraiser/outreach program features delicious food, free live entertainment and is open to the public.
Adults $10.00
For more info visit our website HERE.
JAIL MINISTRY
12/10/2022
JAIL MINISTRY: If you would like to be a part of this vibrant ministry please see Fr. Anthony or Kate McClain. Scheduled visits will be Saturday, December 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st from 9:00 am-10:00 am.
You will need a free background check from the Oconee County Jail to participate.
Youth News
12/11/2022
The Nativity Pageant will be held Sunday, December 11th, 2022.
Please let your teachers know if your child is planning to participate.
- If you have any questions about our Sunday School please reach out to Panagiota Damianeas.
- We are looking for parents who can help with the Nativity Pageant - we have costumes and a program, just need to organize and do one practice (at least).
Stewardship
12/11/2022
Stewardship Sunday, Stewardship Breakfast takes place Sunday, December 11. Prayerfully consider your family’s contribution of time, talent, and treasurer for your 2023 Pledge Card to be turned in that day. When you turn your card in on time and indicate which ministries you would like to participate in, it is a great help in planning our budget and managing our ministries and obligations.
Nativity PAGEANT, on Dec 11 Plan to turn in your 2023 Stewardship pledge cards that day. You should have received a card in the mail. It is a great help to the Parish Council in the planning of the budget for the coming year if you turn your card in on time and indicate which ministries you would like to participate in.
Stewardship payments Checks can be mailed directly to Kate McClain 1001 Kings Court, Watkinsville, GA 30677 Your donations are always confidential.
If you like to pledge your donation online, please click HERE
Christmas Candle Light Service - Atlanta
12/18/2022
CandleLight Service and Christmas Concert | Sunday, December 18 @ 4pm the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation. 2500 Clairmont Road N.E, Atlanta, GA 30329.Christmas Concert following the Service featuring: Choirs from the Annunciation Cathedral, St. John the Wonderworker, SS Constantine and Helen, the Men’s Choir and Chanters from the Annunciation Cathedral, along with Choir Members from area parishes. His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta will officiate at this Pan-Orthodox Service presented by the Atlanta Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood. Refreshments to follow.
AIOPA Events
12/17/2022
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Click for Kids | AIOPA Online Charity Campaign. Your support has the power to make a difference. Each year, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta treats hundreds of thousands of kids. As a not-for-profit, generous contributions from fundraisers help to ensure that CHOA can continue to provide the best possible care to kids now and in the future. By fundraising through Click for Kids, you can make a greater impact than ever before. It’s simple and fast and gives you the chance to help CHOA by contributing via our existing AIOPA campaign.
December 17, 9AM | Family Toy and Food Box Event | St. John the Wonderworker. 543 Cherokee Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30312. St. John the Wonderworker and the Loaves and Fishes Program are planning to host their annual Family Toy and Food Box Event on Saturday, December 17, from 9AM until noon. They will provide each family with a food box containing Christmas dinner fixings, and have enough extras to make a meaningful contribution to a week’s worth of meals. They will have purchased gifts chosen by the parents for each child ahead of time, and those gifts will be ready and waiting to go home with the families on the 17. The website at saintjohnwonderworker.org will provide an easy way to donate to the program as well as to sign up to volunteer. Questions can be delivered to Mat. Rebecca Myers at rebeccamorrismyers@gmail.com or (404)693-4443.
Greek Language Classes
12/18/2022
Greek Classes: Will meet following Divine Liturgy on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. December classes Dec. 18th
Bigger Vision
12/26/2022
Be a Blessing....Next Bigger Vision Meal: Monday, December 26th
Bigger Vision Providing a meal for the homeless is the 4th Monday of every month. We will need a protein, a starch, a vegetable, bread and dessert.
Drop off is at the church at 4:30 pm the Monday of the meal and Fr. Anthony will deliver it. At this time we need volunteers for the protein, dessert, and bread and a starch dish. Please also consider helping us on December 26TH.
Your help is critical in serving those in need and greatly appreciated. Sign up HERE to offer a menue item. Sign up here to serve from 5:30-7:00 pm
You do not have to commit to every month but together we can do this. Please let Fr. Anthony know if you would like to join the team.
All contributions are appreciated!!
Book Store
12/26/2022
Book Store is open for business: Offering books, CD’s, prayer ropes, gift items and more. Stop by and shop.
The Life of St. Philothea a beautifully Illustrated hardback book about the life of our beloved patron, are available today in the book store. Get your copy for $26.
FREE LENDING LIBRARY Visit collection of over 700 holdings related to Orthodoxy. Browse all titles online-click here TODDLER NURSERY is available at any time for parents wit
Family Life Ministry
Meal Train:
Occasionally we have people in our community that need a little extra help with meal support during challenging times. In those cases a Meal Train Announcement will be emailed out by Regina Nasrallah. It is an easy and convenient way to provide very helpful support when a meal could really help out a family. Anyone can sign up.
Athens Nurses Clinic Toiletry Collection
The Athens Nurse’s Clinic provides low-cost medical care for under-insured or uninsured patients with chronic illnesses.
Once again, the Philoptochos is collecting items for the Athens Nurse’s Clinic. The Nurse’s Clinic has had their funding decreased and are in need of these basic items. We will be collecting these items through-out the Lenten period. Please bring one or more of the following items to Church and they may be left in Fr. Anthony’s office or contact Karen Kimbaris, kakimbaris@yahoo.com or 706-310-0022 and she can collect the items.
Items Needed:
Shampoo/conditioner Soap or Body Wash
Toothbrush and Tootpaste Chapstick or Vaseline
Deodorant Shaving cream and Razor
Body Lotion Wash cloths
Socks Comb
Facebook Marketplace
FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE - Online Garage Sale.
Thanks to Kosta Vavlas and several parishioners we have already made over $600! Clean out your home and help raise funds for the Parish. Kosta is overseeing this ongoing Face Book garage sale and will guide us through this process on what we are looking to sell and how to promote it and close the sale. Your item will be picked up and delivered at the Sheriffs office where there are video cameras. If you have an item of value (~$50 or greater) that you would like to contribute so that it can be sold to raise funds for the Church please contact Kosta Vavlas (DimitriosVavlas@gmail.com 727-424-2194) to arrange for pick up. Clean, sellable items in good condition only, please. All proceeds will go to St. Philothea's operating expenses.
Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour – We will be assigning hosts for Coffee Hour. Everyone will have an opportunity to serve. Keep it simple. Coffee will be made and provided by the Coffee Hour Committee. A simple cookie to go with coffee is sufficient for the host to provide. Then when coffee hour is winding down, the host will be responsible for cleaning up and putting things away.
The Coffee Hour schedule will be posted. If you can not make the date you have been assigned, please let Presvytera Christine know. Click here for details.
IF YOU WANT TO HOST A COFFEE HOUR CALL OR TEXT PRESVYTERA CHRISTINE 706-340-6366
Cleaning of Sanctuary
Cleaning in the Sanctuary – The Church will need cleaning each week including dusting, vacuuming and window cleaning. See Fr. Anthony or PR Christine if you would like to help with this important ministry. Volunteers are welcome. Questions, please contact Presvytera Christine - prchristine2@gmail.com
Marswood Hall
01/27/2023
Planning Committee Meeting: We will be Thursday, Jan 27 at 6:00 pm via Zoom.
MoD Meeting
01/29/2023
MoD Meeting: Sunday, January 29th following the Divine Liturgy.