Tuesday, May 9
     10:30 am    Pan-Orthodox Clergy meeting
     11:30 am    Seniors Lunch
     AHEPA and Daughters   6:00 pm refreshments / 7:00 pm meetings

Thursday, May 11
7:00 pm Parish Council Meeting

Highlights of Upcoming Services and Events

Sunday, May 14 ~ Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
       8:45 am    Orthros
     10:00 am    Divine Liturgy
     10:00 am    Sunday School
     12:15 pm    Mother’s Day Program & Brunch after Liturgy

Monday, May 15
10:00 am Becoming Orthodox 2

Tuesday, May 16
     Philoptochos
     10:00 am    Board Meeting
     12:00 pm    Lunch Meeting

Friday, May 19
5:30 pm Greek School Graduation (Small Hall)

May 19-20
District GOYA Junior Olympics

Stewardship at Saint Catherine:

We invite you to join the growing number of Saint Catherine stewards in 2017. Stewardship is partnership with God and the happiest people on earth are those who have discovered the joy of giving! Saint Catherine stewards - you are the life blood of our Church. We thank you for your dedication.

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YouTube

Many of our Divine Liturgies are available at www.youtube.com.
Search for “Saint Catherine Greek Orthodox Church”. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Family Life Blog

Our Metropolis of Atlanta Family Life Blog has wonderful inspiring material for families and each of us as individuals. Take a look at the flyer on our Saint Catherine home page. Read and share the Family Life blog which is at: http://www.familylifeministry.atlanta.goarch.org/

Orthodox Christian Programs

Did you know that we have Orthodox Christian programs available 24 hours a day, seven days of the week? There is the weekly Come Receive the Light program and three channels of content to listen to in addition to special presentations in the form of podcasts, articles and videos. Take a break from your routine to read / listen / watch the Orthodox content from the Orthodox Christian Network (OCN). All are all available at: http://myocn.net/

Event Flyers

Sunday of the Paralytic

Family Connections - Sunday of the Paralytic

Panagia Chapel Roof Tiles Campaign

Our opportunity to place the names of our loved ones in the Holy Altar of the Panagia Chapel.

Mother's Day 2017

Mother's Day Brunch, Video and Photo Montage of our children in Honor of all of our wonderful mothers.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:13-35

At that time, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Third Tone. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 9:32-42.

IN THOSE DAYS, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Paralytic
The Reading is from John 5:1-15

At that time, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water; whoever stepped in first after the troubling of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked.

Now that day was the sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet." But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, 'Take up your pallet, and walk.' "They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your pallet, and walk'?" Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you." The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.

Wisdom of the Fathers

For where tears are-- or rather, where miracles are, there tears ought not to be; not where such a mystery is celebrating. Hear, I beseech you: although somewhat of the like kind does not take place now, yet in the case of our dead likewise, a great mystery is celebrating. Say, if as we sit together, the Emperor were to send and invite some one of us to the palace, would it be right, I ask, to weep and mourn? Angels are present, commissioned from heaven and come from thence, sent from the King Himself to call their fellow servant, and say, dost thou weep? Knowest thou not what a mystery it is that is taking place, how awful, how dread, and worthy indeed of hymns and lauds? Wouldest thou learn, that thou mayest know, that this is no time for tears? For it is a very great mystery of the Wisdom of God. As if leaving her dwelling, the soul goes forth, speeding on her way to her own Lord, and dost thou mourn? Why then, thou shouldst do this on the birth of a child: for this in fact is also a birth, and a better than that.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 21 on Acts 9, 4th Century

In that case [Matt 9:2] there was remission of sins, (for He said, "Thy sins be forgiven thee,") but in this, warning and threats to strengthen the man for the future; "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto you."

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 37 on John 1, 4th Century

Great is the profit of the divine Scriptures, and all-sufficient is the aid which comes from them ... For the divine oracles are a treasury of all manner of medicines, so that whether it be needful to quench pride, to lull desire to sleep, to tread under foot the love of money, ... from them one may find abundant resource.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 37 on John 5, 4th Century

Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Tone

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Tone

Let all things above in heav'n rejoice, and let all things below on earth be glad. With all the might and strength of His arm an eternal deed the Lord did perform. Beneath His feet He has trampled down death by death, and first born of the dead has He become. From the womb of Hades has He delivered us, and to all the world has granted His great redeeming mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Tone

Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.

The translations of hymns are under copyright and used by permission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced, in print or on other websites or in any other form, without the prior written authorization of the copyright holder:

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal of the First Tone © Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Resurrectional Apolytikion in Third Tone © Green Hymnal

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone © Narthex Press - Northridge, CA

Saints and Feasts

May 07

Sunday of the Paralytic

Close to the Sheep's Gate in Jerusalem, there was a pool, which was called the Sheep's Pool. It had round about it five porches, that is, five sets of pillars supporting a domed roof. Under this roof there lay very many sick people with various maladies, awaiting the moving of the water. The first to step in after the troubling of the water was healed immediately of whatever malady he had.

It was there that the paralytic of today's Gospel way lying, tormented by his infirmity of thirty-eight years. When Christ beheld him, He asked him, "Wilt thou be made whole?" And he answered with a quiet and meek voice, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool." The Lord said unto him, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." And straightaway the man was made whole and took up his bed. Walking in the presence of all, he departed rejoicing to his own house. According to the expounders of the Gospels, the Lord Jesus healed this paralytic during the days of the Passover, when He had gone to Jerusalem for the Feast, and dwelt there teaching and working miracles. According to Saint John the Evangelist, this miracle took place on the Sabbath.

May 07

Commemoration of the Precious Cross that appeared in the sky over Jerusalem in 351 A.D.

On this day in the year 351, not long after Cyril had succeeded Maximus as Archbishop of Jerusalem, during the reign of Constantius, the son of Saint Constantine the Great, on the day of Pentecost, the sign of the Cross appeared over Jerusalem. Saint Cyril, in his letter to the Emperor Constantius, says, "At about the third hour of the day, an enormous Cross, formed of light, appeared in the heaven above holy Golgotha and reaching to the holy Mount of Olives, being seen not by one or two only, but manifest with perfect clarity to the whole multitude of the city; not, as one might suppose, rushing swiftly past in fancy, but seen openly above the earth many hours in plain sight, and overcoming the beams of the sun with its dazzling rays" (PG 33:1 16q).

May 08

John the Apostle, Evangelist, & Theologian

The feast today in honour of the holy Apostle John commemorates the miracle taking place each year in Ephesus, in which a certain dust or powder, called manna, suddenly poured forth from his tomb and was used by the faithful for deliverance from maladies of both soul and body. For an account of his life, see September 26.

May 08

Synaxis of the Holy Powder (or manna) which emitted from the tomb of Saint John the Theologian

May 08

Arsenios the Great

Saint Arsenios was a deacon of the Church of Rome, born of an illustrious family, and wondrous in virtue. In the days of Saint Theodosius the Great, he was chosen to be the tutor of the Emperor's young sons, Arcadius and Honorius. While living at the imperial palace in Constantinople, compassed with all luxury and innumerable temptations to sin, Arsenios often besought God with tears to guide him to salvation. This prayer was answered one day when a voice came to him saying, "Arsenios, flee from men, and thou shalt be saved." He sailed secretly to Alexandria, and from there went to Scete, where he became a monk. Yet after he had withdrawn from the world, and was come among the most illustrious monks of his day, he heard, 'Arsenios, flee, be silent, pray always, for these are the causes of sinning not." Following this call, he separated himself even from his fellow monks, practicing extreme silence. On Saturday evenings, he would turn his back on the setting sun, and would stretch out his hands in prayer to Heaven, till the sun shone upon his face the following morning, and only then would he sit down. Once a monk came to visit him, and looking into his cell saw Arsenios entirely like a flame of fire. After living some fifty-five years as a monk, and attaining to heights reached by few, he reposed in peace about the year 449, at the age of ninety-five.

May 09

The Holy Prophet Esaias (Isaiah)

The Prophet Esaias, the son of Amos, was descended from a royal tribe. He prophesied in the days of Ozias (who is also called Azarias), Joatham, Ahaz, and Hezekias, Kings of Judah. About 681 B.C, in the reign of Manasses, the son and successor of the most pious Hezekias, when this Prophet was censuring Manasses' impiety and lawlessness, he was sawn asunder with a wooden saw, and thus received a martyr's end.

Of all the Prophets, he is called the most eloquent because of the beauty and loftiness of his words. His book of prophecy, divided into sixty-six chapters, is ranked first among the greater Prophets. The Fifth Ode of the Psalter, "Out of the night my spirit waketh at dawn unto Thee, O God . . ." is taken from his book. It was this holy Prophet who foretold that a Virgin would conceive in the womb (7:14); that not an ambassador, nor an angel, but the Lord Himself would save fallen man (63:9); that the Messiah would suffer, bearing our sins (ch. 53). His name means "Yah is helper."

May 09

Christopher the Martyr of Lycea

Saint Christopher was at first named Reprobus. Seeing the Christians persecuted, he rebuked the tyrants for their cruelty. Soldiers were sent to bring him to appear before the ruler; but he converted them to Christ, and with them was baptized, receiving the name Christopher. After he appeared before the ruler, he was imprisoned and two harlots were sent to seduce him, but he converted them also, and encouraged them in their martyrdom. He was subjected to torments and finally beheaded in the days of Decius.Many marvellous and mythical things are said about him out of ignorance and superstition, one of which is that it is impossible for one to die suddenly from some unexpected cause on the day on which one looks at the Saint's icon. This is the origin of that proverb that is quoted in various quarters: "If on Christopher thou shouldst gaze, thou shalt safely wend life's ways." The etymology of his name, which means "Christ-bearer," has undoubtedly moved iconographers to depict him carrying the infant Jesus on his shoulders; it is completely erro-neous, however, to depict him, as some uninformed iconographers do, having the head of a dog, because of a statement in his life that he was dog-faced, by which is meant only that his countenance was exceedingly frightful to look upon.

May 10

Simon the Zealot & Apostle

This Apostle was one of the Twelve, and was called Simon the Cananite by Matthew, but Simon the Zealot by Luke (Matt. 10:4; Luke 6:15). The word "Cananite" used by Matthew is believed to be derived from kana, which in the Palestinian dialect of Aramaic means "zealot" or 'zealous"; Luke therefore translates the meaning of "Cananite." Later accounts say that he was the bridegroom at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, where the Lord Jesus changed the water into wine, making this the first of His miracles (John 2:1-11); according to some, he is called Cananite because he was from Cana (according to others, from the Land of Canaan). Simon means "one who hears."

May 11

Hieromartyr Mocius

The holy Hieromartyr Mocius, who was of Roman parents, lived during the reign of Diocletian, and was a priest in Amphipolis of Thrace. One day as the idolaters were assembled, and the Proconsul Laodicius was offering sacrifice to Dionysus, Mocius entered the temple and overturned the altar. After many torments, through which he was preserved whole by grace divine, he was sent to Byzantium, where he was beheaded about the year 288. Saint Constantine the Great built a magnificent church in honour of Saint Mocius in Constantinople, where his holy relics were enshrined. He is one of the Holy Unmercenaries.

May 12

Germanos, Patriarch of Constantinople

Saint Germanos, who was from Constantinople, was born to an illustrious family, the son of Justinian the Patrician. First he became Metropolitan of Cyzicus; in 715 he was elevated to the throne of Constantinople; but because of his courageous resistance to Leo the Isaurian's impious decree which inaugurated the war upon the holy icons, he was exiled from his throne in 715. He lived the rest of his life in privacy, and reposed about 740, full of days. The fore-most of his writings is that which deals with the Six Ecumenical Councils. He wrote many hymns also, as is apparent from the titles of many stichera and idiomela, among which are those for the Feast of the Meeting in the Temple.

May 12

Theodorus the Righteous of Cythera

May 13

The Holy Martyr Glyceria

This Martyr contested in 141 in Trajanopolis of Thrace, during the reign of the Emperor Antoninus Pius. At a heathen festival, when Sabine the Governor of Trajanopolis was offering sacrifice, Saint Glyceria entered the temple and declared herself to be a handmaid of Christ. Sabine commanded her to sacrifice. She went to the statue of Zeus and overturned it, dashing it to pieces. She was subjected to many horrible tortures, and finally was cast to wild beasts; bitten once by one of them, she gave up her soul into the hands of God.

May 12

Epiphanius, Bishop of Cyprus

Saint Epiphanius was born about 310 in Besanduc, a village of Palestine, of Jewish parents who were poor and tillers of the soil. In his youth he came to faith in Christ and was baptized with his sister, after which he distributed all he had to the poor and became a monk, being a younger contemporary of Saint Hilarion the Great (see Oct. 21), whom he knew. He also visited the renowned monks of Egypt to learn their ways. Because the fame of his virtue had spread, many in Egypt desired to make him a bishop; when he learned of this, he fled, returning to Palestine. But after a time he learned that the bishops there also intended to consecrate him to a widowed bishopric, and he fled to Cyprus. In Paphos he met Saint Hilarion, who told him to go to Constantia, a city of Cyprus also called Salamis. Epiphanius answered that he preferred to take ship for Gaza, which, despite Saint Hilarion's admonitions, he did. But a contrary wind brought the ship to Constantia where, by the providence of God, Epiphanius fell into the hands of bishops who had come together to elect a successor to the newly-departed Bishop of Constantia, and the venerable Epiphanius was at last constrained to be consecrated, about the year 367. He was fluent in Hebrew, Egyptian, Syriac, Greek, and Latin, and because of this he was called "Five-tongued." He had the gift of working miracles, and was held in such reverence by all, that although he was a known enemy of heresy, he was well nigh the only eminent bishop that the Arians did not dare to drive into exile when the Emperor Valens persecuted the Orthodox about the year 371. Having tended his flock in a manner pleasing to God, and guarded it undefiled from every heresy, he reposed about the year 403, having lived for ninety-three years. Among his sacred writings, the one that is held in special esteem is the Panarion (from the Latin Panarium, that is, "Bread-box,") containing the proofs of the truth of the Faith, and an examination of eighty heresies.

Metropolis of Atlanta

Message from Metropolitan Alexios

My Beloved Ones,

Χριστὸς ἀνέστη! Christ is Risen!

As we continue through the beautiful Paschal period, this Sunday’s Gospel returns us to the public ministry of Jesus; He has not yet been crucified and not yet resurrected. In fact, the Evangelist John tells us that the subject of this week’s Gospel was one of the many instances which set the Pharisees and elders against Jesus; for He chose to perform this miracle on the Sabbath.

We read that Christ encounters a paralyzed man lying near the pool of Bethsaida, a pool which is occasionally visited by an angel, granting health to the first person who enters its waters. This man, whose condition had afflicted him for 38 years, is seen by Christ, lying on his bed. Christ naturally asks the man if he wishes to be made well. The man, not realizing who he is speaking to, answers that he would—only he has no way to enter the pool, and when he tries others enter the water before him.

Christ however, is not simply content to offer this man assistance. He does not, for example, ask if the paralyzed man wishes to be brought into the pool; for surely this lonely individual could have been assisted by any number of the disciples who were with Jesus at that moment. Instead, Christ is speaking of a miracle greater than the passing blessing from one of God’s angels. For with seven simple words, “Rise, take up your bed and walk,” the man experiences the reality of coming face to face with God.

My brothers and sisters, much has been made of the physical reality of the miracle, but this story has a message for those who are able-bodied as well. Christ asks the paralytic, “Do you wish to be made well?” In this way, he speaks not simply to the person for whom the miracle is performed, but those who are paralyzed: paralyzed by grief; by fear; by loneliness; by sadness, or even indecision. The pools of Bethsaida are like the creations of men: however blessed some of these technologies, therapies and pursuits may be (the passing of an angel to trouble our waters) they do not come from God alone. Only by entrusting our worries and cares to God, do we fully allow ourselves to be shaped and transformed through the peace which comes from knowing Him.

Another crucial aspect of this passage then is in the formulation of Christ’s words. He does not say, “You are healed!” When He says, “Rise, take up your bed and walk,” He does so, not only for the benefit of His disciples and the crowds that have gathered; He says this to demonstrate that after we have given our troubles and passions to God, we are called upon to carry on His work. We are meant to go forward and live our lives, as best as we are able; secure in our faith and belief in Jesus Christ.

+ALEXIOS
Metropolitan of Atlanta

The Panagia Chapel Roof Tiles Campaign: Our opportunity to place the names of our loved ones in the Holy Altar of the Panagia Chapel.

April 24, 2017

My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in our Resurrected Lord

CRISTOS ANESTH!

Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

I greet you all with a joyful heart as we live in the renewal of our Lord’s Resurrection. I
come before you today, to encourage all of us to work together hand in hand for the
completion of the Panagia Chapel, which is the jewel of our Metropolis at the Diakonia
Retreat Center in Salem, SC, through the Roof Tiles Campaign.

As someone who fervently prays for the spiritual lives of all our faithful, I believe that
the Panagia Chapel allows all of us—including our young people—to feel inspired, as we
work towards that common goal when we are able to gather together and worship as the
Body of Christ.

I am asking each faithful household of our Holy Metropolis to participate by submitting
names of both living and departed loved ones (even if you are not financially able to
contribute to the Roof Tiles Campaign). I do not want anyone to miss the blessing to
submit names, for it is a great one; because not only will the list of names be sealed
within the Holy Altar and with Holy Relics during the consecration of our Chapel, but
the names will be commemorated at all the services throughout the year and the years to come.

I thank you for your continued support. I pray that during this season of renewal, we
will all be uplifted by our communal vision, as we seek to create an environment which
will ensure that our children, grandchildren, and countless future generations always
have a place which reflects God’s glory and the living presence of the Saints. On behalf of the faithful souls in our Metropolis, I remain,

With paternal blessings and with much love in our Risen Lord,

+ALEXIOS
Metropolitan of Atlanta

From the Chancellor's Desk

A certain young lady began a journey that led her to five cities in quest of her one true love. She found him in the first city and fell completely in love with him, but she was wrong and he left her in the City of Disappointment.

Her journey took her to the next city, where she again thought the ideal was at hand; but, in this city called Rebellion, she found only bitterness.

Once again she set forth and found a beautiful love called respect. This was the City of Dignity.

Again she set forth to find her true love and there she found some happiness in the City of Adventure and, when this love faded, she finally arrived at the city of her fulfillment, which was named Partnership.

The young lady thought she found love in the cities of Disappointment, Rebellion, Dignity and Adventure, but it was in the City of Partnership that she found her fulfillment.

While St. Paul wrote a beautiful chapter of love to the Corinthians, he cautioned, "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." (1 Cor. 13:1)

Further, St. Paul expanded his statement by explaining that "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." (verses 4-8)

St. Paul knew that love is the "greatest of all" the gifts of God.. He taught us that we are meant to keep its quest alive, though our journeys lead us to many cities. "And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love." (verse 13)

My brothers and sisters in Christ, as we live and journey through life, may we all be blessed to share God's love with all. Amen.

+Fr. George Tsahakis
Chancellor

The Strategic Plan

Strategic Plan Updates

After many months of hard work and much anticipation, the first goals of the Metropolis of Atlanta Strategic Plan are complete and there is content on the Web Portal for download. Parishioners are invited to use the new content found at www.atlstrategicplan.org/portal to enhance their efforts working for the Church and its many ministries. The completed Goals include: 1.1 Parish Strategic Planning, 3.3 Communications Director, 5.4 Seniors Program, 10.1 Metropolis Website and 10.3 Best Practices Metropolis Resource Center Portal. In addition to the first content, the website has been redesigned for ease of use. For more information please visit www.atlstrategicplan.org. If you have questions, contact your Parish Champion or communications@atlmetropolis.org.

Family Life Ministry

The Metropolis of Atlanta’s Family Life Ministry (www.familylifeministry.atlanta.goarch.org) strengthens individuals, families and church families through adaptable programs, blogs and educational materials as a means of fostering connection within our homes and our parishes.

In this third episode of the “Family Insights” Podcast , Paula Marchman (Managing Director of FLM) and Eleni Alexiou (Managing Director of OCN) continue the discussion of how we all make mistakes and how struggles can be good. Together these counselors will walk you through the important topics so that you can gain insight into your family. Sit back today, listen, and find your deep breathe.

To listen, visit the podcast’s page HERE.

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.

This Spring Saint Catherine parish in West Palm Beach will again host a Jouney of Marriage Seminar on Saturday, May 6th.

To see the full list of seminars through 2017, and to register, please visit: http://www.familylifeministry.atlanta.goarch.org/upcoming-events-2/

When you shop with Amazon, you can donate to the Diakonia Retreat Center

Shop with Amazon, donate to the DRC

Amazon Smile is a program that allows for 0.5% of your eligible Amazon purchase to be donated to the Diakonia Retreat Center. To find our Amazon Smile page, visit https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-2187047.

Panagia Chapel

The Panagia Chapel is now being built at our Diakonia Retreat Center. Upon completion it will be the heart and life for all who attend retreats there, a unique place of prayer for all in our Metropolis now and for generations to come.

Click here to see photos of the construction as of February 15, 2017, during the Clergy Syndesmos Late Winter Retreat.

Assembly of Bishops News

Go and Make Disciples: Evangelization and Outreach in US Orthodox Parishes

04/24/2017

http://assemblyofbishops.org/news/2017/evangelization-study-report

The first ever, national study on evangelization and outreach in Orthodox parishes in the United States has been released by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA. The report 'Go and Make Disciples: Evangelization and Outreach in US Orthodox Parishes' explores the practices and strategies developed by some Orthodox parishes that can be viewed as 'exemplary' in their missionary and outreach efforts.

Assembly Chairman's Message for Holy Pascha 2017

04/12/2017

http://assemblyofbishops.org/news/2017/chairmans-message-for-holy-pascha-2017

Pascha 2017 - To the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of Parish Councils, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Members of Philanthropic Organizations, the Youth and Youth Workers, and the entire Orthodox Christian Family in the United States of America

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese to Continue Successful Fellowships at the UN

02/07/2017

http://assemblyofbishops.org/news/2017/united-nations-fellowship

The Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is inviting graduate and recent post-graduate students to apply for its fellowships at the United Nations.

New Map of Bishops and Parishes Available on the Assembly Website

12/07/2016

http://assemblyofbishops.org/news/2016/new-map-of-bishops-and-parishes-available-on-the-assembly-website

An updated map of Orthodox bishops and parishes in the US is now available on the Assembly's website.

Message of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America

10/06/2016

http://assemblyofbishops.org/news/2016/message-2016-assembly

We, the members of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, gathered in Detroit, Michigan, for our seventh annual meeting on October 4-6, 2016 greet you with love in Christ as we offer glory and thanksgiving to Him. Forty-one hierarchs assembled in order to recognize and reinforce our unity in the Orthodox faith.

Address of the Chairman His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America at the 7th Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America

10/06/2016

http://assemblyofbishops.org/news/2016/address-archbishop-demetrios-assembly-2016

Having approached and partaken in the Holy Eucharist as members of the Body of Christ, we convene here in Detroit, Michigan. It is a city whose people have experienced the results of decades of neglect, isolation, and abandonment, but now steadily move forward on the path of transformation towards a renewed life. I cannot help but reflect upon the idea of transformation in our case. We truly need a transformation in Christ, with Christ, and for Christ leading to unity, holiness and effective service. And if this is so, we must, following the Apostle Paul, strive to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the sharing of His sufferings (Phil. 3:10), and following the Apostle Peter, with a sincere love for the brethren and from a pure heart let us love one another intensely (1 Peter 1:22).

Official Website of Holy and Great Council Now Online

05/25/2016

http://assemblyofbishops.org/news/2016/official-website-of-holy-and-great-council-now-online

The official website of the Holy and Great Council is now online.

Atlas of American Orthodox Monasteries Now Available

02/11/2016

http://assemblyofbishops.org/news/2016/first-ever-atlas-of-american-orthodox-monasteries-now-available

The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America announces the publication of the first-ever Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Monasteries.

Message from His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios

Archiepiscopal Encyclical on Holy Pascha 2017

04/15/2017

On this glorious Feast of Feasts that is filled with the transcendent light and unsurpassable joy of the Lord’s Resurrection, I proclaim with you, my beloved people, the exclamation of victory, Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!

https://www.goarch.org/-/archiepiscopal-encyclical-on-holy-pascha-2017

Hellenic College Holy Cross News

HCHC Announces 2017 Honorary Degree Recipients

05/04/2017

http://www.hchc.edu/about/news/news_releases/honorary-degree-recipients-2017

HCHC is proud to announce its 2017 Honorary Degree Recipients. Degrees will be awarded at HCHC's 75th Commencement on Saturday, May 20 in the Pappas Auditorium, immediately following Orthros and Archieratical Liturgy in Holy Cross Chapel.

HCHC Students in the Community: Philoxenia House

05/04/2017

http://www.hchc.edu/about/news/news_releases/elias-pappas-philoxenia

Elias Pappas, a sophomore at Hellenic College, loves volunteering at Philoxenia House, a ministry of the Metropolis of Boston that is a home away from home for the families of children and adults, most from Greece, who come to Boston for medical treatment.

SOBER: A Greek Orthodox Family’s Journey from Addiction to Recovery

05/04/2017

http://www.hchc.edu/about/news/news_releases/sober

Holy Cross is pleased to welcome Anita Baglaneas Devlin to campus to speak on the opioid addiction crisis currently facing American society. Her talk will be held on Monday, May 8, 2017 from 7:00-8:30pm in the Archbishop Iakovos Library Reading Room.

Holy Cross Alumnus His Grace Bishop Athanasius of Kisumu and All Western Kenya Visits HCHC

05/02/2017

http://www.hchc.edu/about/news/news_releases/bishop-athanasius-kenya-visit

HCHC was proud to welcome its alumnus, His Grace Bishop Athanasius of Kisumu and All Western Kenya, to campus for the first time since his enthronement, and serve with him on the Feast Day of the Removal of the Relics of St. Athanasius the Great on May 2.

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

Archbishop Demetrios Attends National Day of Prayer at White House

05/05/2017

Press Office/Stavros Papagermanos /pressoffice@goarch.org

WASHINGTON – His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, at the invitation of President Donald J. Trump, attended today the 66th Annual National Day of Prayer Commemoration, held this year at the Rose Garden of the White House. The Annual National Day of Prayer is the first Thursday in May as it was established by an act of Congress and continues by Presidential Proclamation.

Present at the auspicious public event were the Vice President Mike Pence, many members of the cabinet and many religious leaders from across the country. The President signed an Executive Order Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty, which can be read in its entirety here https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/05/04/presidential-executive-order-promoting-free-speech-and-religious-liberty

At the end of the public ceremony Archbishop Demetrios had the opportunity to exchange greetings with President Trump and Vice President Pence.

Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHskUhhneh

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https://www.goarch.org/-/archbishop-demetrios-attends-national-day-of-prayer-at-white-house

Archbishop Demetrios’ Visit to the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of New York and New England

04/19/2017

NEW YORK – On Good Friday afternoon and in a gesture of prayerful solidarity to the Coptic Orthodox Christians, following the bombing attacks at two Coptic Orthodox churches in Egypt on Palm Sunday, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America together with Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York, visited the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace and His Grace Bishop David, of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of New York and New England.

The Archbishop in a letter he had sent immediately following the attacks stated: “We strongly believe that even in the dire circumstances of this tragedy, the love of God will prevail over the forces of darkness and hatred. We believe based on the experience of the Holy Week of Passion, that even after the Crucifixion, God defeated death and evil and triumphed through the Resurrection.

We stand firm and in solidarity with the victims and the families of this horrendous terrorist attack. We fervently pray for the repose of the souls of those who perished, for the consolation of their families and for the protection of all the members of the Coptic Christian Church in Egypt.”

Photos on flickr: https://flic.kr/s/aHskVAqo3M

== 30 ==

https://www.goarch.org/-/archbishops-demetrios-visit-to-the-coptic-orthodox-diocese-of-new-york-and-new-england

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