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.
January 5 8:30 am Royal Hours of Epiphany
January 5 6:00 pm Great Vespers of Epiphany (Strict Fast Day)
January 6 8:00 am Orthros, Liturgy of Epiphany followed by Blessing of the Waters
January 7 8:00 am Liturgy for St. John the Baptist
January 25 5:45 pm am Liturgy for Gregory the Theologian
January 30 8:00 am Liturgy for Three Hierarchs
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Grief Support
01/02/2023
Grief Support Group Will meet Monday, January 16th, at the church from 7:00-8:00 pm. Meets every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. All are welcome.
Ephiphany Service and Blessing of the Waters
01/05/2023
The feast of Epiphany is one of the major holy days of the Orthodox Church, because on that day Christ descended into the Jordan to fulfill "all righteousness", and in turn sanctified the waters to renew all of creation. It was then for the first time that we understand God as Trinity, 'Three Persons in one essence', which transformed our understanding of the Old Testament. By honoring this day we participate in the renewal of the earth thru the Blessing of the Waters.
During the day on Wednesday, January 5th is a strict fast day in preparation for this feast, no meat, dairy, wine or oil as we leave the feast of Christmas and prepare to receive the “Blessing of the Waters”.
We will celebrate Great Vespers Wednesday January 5th at 6:00 pm. We will Bless the Waters Thursday, January 6th beginning with Orthros at 8:00 am, followed by the Divine Liturgy of Theophany, and the Blessing of the Waters.
House Blessings
01/07/2023
HOUSE BLESSING SIGN-UP:
Father will service your New Year House blessings on the following Saturdays Jan 7, 14, 21, and 28. If you have not already signed up at church, please click HOUSE BLESSING Form to take you to the website. Or print out this page, fill it out and return to church.
Please note the 14th will be limited to 3 houses, 1 in the morning and 2 late afternoon. Father will contact you with an exact time once all requests are submitted.
Please submit by Epiphany.
Name ________________ Day _____________ am/pm _________ phone____________
Stewardship
01/08/2023
Stewardship: If you have not yet turned in a pledge Card for 2023, and need one, please see Stacey Cramer or Fr. Anthony.
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.
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
Cutting of the Vassilopita
01/08/2023
Will this be your lucky year? Covid can't even stop the tradition of cutting the Vasilopita! This will take place Sunday, January 8th.
Also, Philoptochos will take a 2nd collection to support St. Basil Academy. Please contact Sarah Jones or Presvytera Christine if you want to make a Vasilopita.
Shared from St. Andrew's Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago. The tradition of baking and cutting a special "pita" (which can mean a loaf of bread, a cake, or even a pie) each year on January 1st is observed in honor of our Holy Father Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia-hence its name Vasilopita. This tradition is observed in both parish churches and in the homes of the Orthodox Christian faithful. What is the meaning or this tradition and how did it begin? For centuries upon centuries parents, grandparents and godparents have related the following pious story to Orthodox children about Saint Basil and the Vasilopita.
One year, during a time of terrible famine, the Emperor levied a sinfully excessive tax upon the people of Caesarea. The tax was such a heavy burden upon the already impoverished people that to avoid debtor's prison each family had to relinquish its few remaining coins as well as pieces of jewelry, including precious family heirlooms. Learning of this injustice against his flock, Saint Basil the Great, the Archbishop of Ceasarea, took up his bishop's staff and the book of the Holy Gospels and came to his people's defense by fearlessly calling the Emperor to repentance. By God's grace, the Emperor did repent! He cancelled the tax and instructed his tax collectors to turn over to Saint Basil all of the chests containing the gold coins and jewelry which had been paid as taxes by the people of Caesarea.
But now Saint Basil was faced with the daunting and impossible task of returning these gold coins and pieces of jewelry to their rightful owners. After praying for a long time before the icons of our Lord Jesus Christ and His All-Holy Mother (Theotokos), Saint Basil had all the treasures baked into one huge "pita" or "bread." He then called all the townspeople to prayer at the cathedral and after Divine Liturgy he blessed and cut the "pita", giving a piece to each person. Miraculously each owner received in his piece of Vasilopita his own valuable. They all joyfully returned home, giving thanks to God who had delivered them from abject poverty and to their good and holy bishop, Saint Basil the Great.
In remembrance of that miracle wrought by God as a result of Saint Basil's prayers, love and defense of his people, Orthodox Christians have observed the tradition of the Vasilopita each year on January 1st-the date on which Saint Basil reposed in the Lord in the year 379 A.D.
In some places the Vasilopita is prepared as a loaf of rich bread (like that used for Artoklasia), while in other places it takes the form of a spicy cake (without frosting). But no matter what form a Vasilopita may take, they all have one thing in common-each contains a single coin. After placing the bread dough or batter in the proper baking pan, the baker makes with the foil wrapped coin the sign of the Cross over it, closes his/her eyes, and then secretly places into the unbaked Vasilopita.
After the Vasilopita is baked and cooled, it is blessed and cut following Divine Liturgy for the feast of Saint Basil the Great. At churches it is blessed and cut in the parish church or community center by the bishop or priest and in homes it is blessed and cut by the head of the household, usually the father. The blessing of the Vasilopita usually begin with the Apolytikion (Dismissal hymn) of Saint Basil the Great, chanted in Tone 1:
"Thy sound hath gone forth into all the earth that received thy word. Thereby thou hast divinely taught the Faith; Thou has made manifest the nature of things that be; Thou hast adorned the ways of man. O namesake of the royal priesthood, O our righteous Father Basil, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.
Spaghetti Dinners
SPAGHETTI SUPER IS CANCELED FOR JANUARY DUE TO THE FLOODING OF MARSWOOD HALL. WE HOPE TO RESCHEDULE FOR FEBRUARY.
Spaghetti Dinners on the second Thursday of the month from 6:00-7:00pm.
**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.
Philoptochos
Christina W. will schedule a meeting mid January via zoom for all Philoptochos and new members. Our annual drive will begin soon but you are welcome to fill out an application now. Need an application, please see PR Christine or Christina W.
We will go over OCAF and this year have a mini-retreat. Christina will meet with Father to talk about possible dates to have a mini-treat.
OCF News
01/10/2023
OCF: "Chew and Chat” Will meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, January 10th. 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.
Inquirer's Class
01/11/2023
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 January 11th and January 25th at the Salzman’s home.
**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
Finance Committee
01/19/2023
Finance Committee Meeting will be Thursday January 19 from 6:30-7:30 pm.
MoD Meeting
01/22/2023
MoD Meeting: Sunday, January 22nd following the Divine Liturgy.
Bigger Vision
01/23/2023
Be a Blessing....Next Bigger Vision Meal: Monday, January 23rd
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. Your help is critical in serving those in need and greatly appreciated.
Sign up HERE to offer a menu 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!!
Marswood Hall
01/23/2023
Planning Committee Meeting: We will be Monday, January 23rd at 6:00 pm via Zoom.
Book Store
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 – is cancelled until repairs are completed in the hall, relavent to the recent water damage. Memorial prayers and the Blessing of Vasillopita will still take place in the sanctuary as scheduled.
The 2023 Coffee Hour Hosting Schedule is available online. Everyone will have an opportunity to serve. Keep it simple. Coffee will be made 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.
Click here for Hosting Schedule and let Presvytera know if you can host that day or need to change. 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
ACTS Food Bank
02/07/2023
Volunteer at the ACTS Food Bank: St. Philothea’s remaining date to volunteer this year is Tuesday, February 7th 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)
Greek Language Classes
12/18/2022
Greek Classes: Will meet following Divine Liturgy on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. January classes will meet on the 8th and 22nd.
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.
Coffee Hour
Coffe Hour is currently on hold due to the restrucuring of Mars Hill from the flooding.
You can look at the current schedule by clicking on this link