Sunday morning at the Atlanta Cathedral, the faithful were blessed to have Metropolitan Alexios, Elder Efraim, visiting clergy and monks serving and chanting during the Diving Liturgy of St John Chrysostom.
Elder Efraim reflectied on the Epistle and Gospel prior to addressing Metropolitan Alexios and presenting His Eminence with an engolpion from Vatopaidi Monastery.
Sunday's Epistle was St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 9:6-11..
.he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully...for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance...You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
As the monastery has blessed the Metropolis of Atlanta with such a precious gift of the Panagia Vimatarissa icon for the Panagia chapel at the Diakonia Retreat Center, the Epistle's relevance can be seen in the Vatopaidi monastic community's very sacred gift, the faithful's generosity for the completion of the Panagia Chapel and each Orthodox Christian's cheerful giving for ministries that glorify God.
May this holy gift of the Panagia Vimatarissa icon inspire us all and bring us closer to Christ!