P lease join us on Sunday, November 7th as we recognize our two Archangel Michael Honorees from 2020 – Stella Christodoulopoulos & Claudia Sliwinski and those for 2021 – Fotis & Effie Sakkas. The Metropolitan’s letter below offers the unique opportunity we have this year to recognize our honorees selected during the pandemic in our local parish rather than a weekend event at the Metropolis Cathedral in Atlanta.

May God grant Stella, Claudia, Fotis, & Effie and their families good health and joy for many years. We value their friendship and commend them for their sacrificial support for our parish family. On behalf of our St. Christopher Church, I congratulate them and look forward to bestowing their medals and certificates on behalf of Metropolitan Alexios. On that Sunday, we hope you will bring a favorite food for the special coffee fellowship reception in their honor.

Faithfully yours,

+Fr. George
 

 

An Important Letter from His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios   September 21, 2021 To the Reverend Clergy, Esteemed Parish Council Presidents, Brother Archons, Sisters of Philoptochos, and all the faithful of the Metropolis of Atlanta:   My beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, I greet you with love and joy in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! As we prepare for this new fall season, I pray that we bear much spiritual fruit, as we continue to pray for His blessings of health, peace and safety. With the coming of Fall, my thoughts turn to our annual Honors Weekend when we come together to recognize those individuals who act as "Michaels", doing their part to harvest a rich spiritual crop for their parishes, and our Metropolis of Atlanta. Unfortunately, the presence of the COVID-19 Delta variant here in the Southeastern United States has given both myself and my Metropolis coworkers pause. We recognize that such a large gathering and dinner, with many staying in hotels, is still potentially unsafe. However, as your spiritual shepherd, I am even more aware that no one wishes to leave our 2020 & 2021 honorees unacknowledged.   Instead, I am excited to celebrate the honorees by designating November 7th, 2021--the day before the Feast of the Archangels--as Archangel Michael Honoree Sunday. My office will mail to our clergy both the honoree Certificates of Recognition and Archangel Michael Medals on October 25th. Upon the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday November 7th, the clergy will bestow the Medal upon the neck of each honoree and hand them their Certificate, congratulating them on behalf of the Metropolitan. The Metropolis hopes that each parish will offer a coffee fellowship for the honorees. Following the day's events, we welcome commemorative photos for the Metropolis website.  Also on that Sunday, the first ever online commemorative booklet will be posted on the Metropolis website (in lieu of the printed book received during the banquet). Links shall be given to each parish to promote in their Sunday Bulletins, newsletters, and on their own websites.  Even as I look forward to the day when this special in-person weekend can resume, I am hopeful that the presence of our parish families will be a memorable moment in the lives of all our honorees.  Thanking you for your understanding, and uplifting our collective prayers for peace in this world. I remain, Paternally yours with love and blessings in the Lord,   + A L E X I O S Metropolitan of Atlanta   Copyright © 2016 Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta, All rights reserved.