July 23, 2020

To the Hierarchs of the Holy Eparchial Synod, the Reverend Clergy & Monastics, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Ladies Philoptochos Society and all the faithful of the Metropolis of Atlanta:
 
My beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
 
I greet you with love in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This message comes to you after having reflected further on our beloved Hagia Sophia, the undisputed jewel of the Christian world. Even as we mourn the Turkish government's decision to return Hagia Sophia to the staus of a mosque, we might do better to remember how the place has been protected by God; as it was in in the year 626, when an army of Persians and Avars led an attack on the Great City of Constantinople. Inside the city, the people, led by the Patriarch, prayed before the Panagia Odigitria icon. A hurricane destroyed all the enemy ships, which washed ashore near the Church of the Theotokos of Blachernae. Recognizing this miraculous intercession, the Akathist was composed, its most famous stanza acknowledging our thankfulness to our All-Holy Mother.

My beloved, just as the Theotokos protected our Holy City many times before, when we chant the Akathist Hymn of the Fifth Week of Great Lent this coming Friday, July 24th, we chant it with the understanding that she will do so again, as long as we come before her Son with reverence and proper worship.  Attached here, you will find the text of the Akathist Hymn, which will allow those viewing their parishes' live-streams to follow the order of the service.

Additionally, we the Orthodox of this country should consider ourselves profoundly fortunate to have supporters and friends in our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters. Yesterday, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops encouraged the faithful to join our Archdiocese on the 24th, writing, in part  "...For Catholics unfamiliar with the Akathist Hymn, the recitation of the Rosary is recommended, as both prayers entreat the Mother of God for her intercession." I am also pleased to include  the following attachment, which reflects a joint statement concerning Hagia Sophia from both the Metropolis of Atlanta and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta.

Even during these difficult times, it is a comfort to know that so many stand with us against this injustice, and offer their prayers for the Ever-Virgin Mary to intercede on behalf of this sacred place.

Praying that our Lord will attend to our cries for true justice and peace, I remain,

Paternally yours with love and blessings,
 
+ A L E X I O S
Metropolitan of Atlanta