His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America announces the Ecumenical Patriarchate's Holy and Sacred Synod's unanimous election of Bishop Sevastianos of Zela to Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolis of Atlanta. Enthronement of His Eminence Metropolitan Sevastianos will be January 25, 2025 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Atlanta, Georgia. AXIOS!
by Fr. Matthew Carter, Proistamenos, Annunciation Church (Mobile, AL)
On Friday, November 1, His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zelon, on behalf of His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, attended the 8th annual Greek Fest Charity Gala at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Mobile, Alabama. During the event, money was raised for the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation and the Women’s Resource Center of Mobile.
by Very Rev. Fr. George Tsahakis, Metropolis Chancellor
For Parish Council Elections to fill members of your Parish Councils who rotate off this year, I ask you to use the forms to submit your Parish Council Election results for ratification for those to be elected to serve in 2025. Clergy, please forward this email to your Parish Board of Elections.
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Mobile, Alabama, held its annual Greek Festival on Thursday, October 17, through Sunday, October 20. Being on the Gulf Coast and having experienced hurricanes in the past, it was important for the Annunciation community to raise awareness of the need for hurricane relief for those impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
by Irene Politis, Metropolis Philoptochos President
In support of National Hurricane Relief Fund, your Metropolis Philoptochos wants to be sure you are aware of the steps our Archdiocese is taking to collect relief funds for both Hurricanes Helene and Milton (Click here for detailed information on the National Hurricane Relief Fund). This will also clarify how your Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos will proceed going forward.
I begin this message in a spirit of gratitude for the way our Metropolis has come together to support those affected by Hurricane Helene. Unfortunately in hurricane season, there is very little rest, and now Hurricane Milton approaches our beloved Tampa Bay area, even as it still recovers. Therefore, this letter is sent to you, our Clergy & Parish Council Presidents in a spirit of preparation, so that all our parishes--and especially those in the path of the storm-- are aware that the same resources shall be available if--God forbid--homes or livelihoods should be affected when Milton makes landfall.
It has been nearly a week since Hurricane Helene left great devastation across our nation, much of it falling within the boundaries of our Holy and God-Protected Metropolis of Atlanta.
We are hoping that your parish Priest, President of the Parish Council & designated IT/Cybersecurity Personnel will make every effort to attend an important online meeting. Each Priest is asked to ensure that at least one of these lay individuals also attend (in addition to our Clergy): either your parish's IT-focused lay member, your Parish Council President, or ideally (if possible), both.
On Wednesday, August 14th, clergy and faithful from the Northeast Conference gathered at the Dormition of the Theotokos parish in Greensboro for Great Vespers of the feast. The service, which included both an Artoklasia and the chanting of the Dormition Encomia, was presided over by His Grace Bishop +SEVASTIANOS of Zela.
Plans are well underway for our Starry Night Fundraiser to benefit the DRC on September 21st, in Mobile, AL at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church (50 S. Ann St). The reception hour begins at 6 pm with dinner served at 7. A short presentation will then be followed by dancing until 11 pm (music from Nick Demos and the Islanders). Individual tickets for the event are on sale now for $65 and there is a limit of 200 .
On the Feast of Holy Pentecost, 2024, the parish of Saints Markella and Demetrios in Mary Esther, Florida was blessed to unveil new dome iconography including Christ the Pantocrator, Angels, and Old Testament Prophets.
This past weekend, St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church in West Palm Beach, FL opened their doors to the Metropolis Oratorical Speakers and their families. Friday started with a welcome dinner and speaker orientation led by Dr. Alexander Bellas. On Saturday, after the speeches, we took a tour of the Flagler Museum and enjoyed a ride down A1A on Palm Beach before the awards glendi. We want to congratulate all of our speakers. We are happy to announce Lambros (Knoxville, TN) and Zeke (Cumming, GA) will be representing the Metropolis at the National Festival in Buffalo, NY.
Katie Wilson, Central District Oratorical Festival announced that 20 speakers from 8 of the 10 district parishes shared outstanding presentations on Saturday, April 20th at St. Christopher Hellenic Orthodox Church in Peachtree City, GA. It is the third consecutive year that the parish has hosted the district festival. This year set a new record number for the number of parishes and student presenters participating. Congratulations to all our speakers and prayers for safe travels and success for our finalists advancing to the Metropolis Festival at St. Katherine's Church in West Palm Beach, FL, May 10-12, 2024.
We are thrilled to announce that applications for the 2025 HDF Odyssey for Directors are NOW OPEN! We have partnered with our friends at Kyklos in Thessaloniki to organize an amazing tour of Northern Greece focused on many of the rich Apokries traditions in that area. The trip will take place February 21 - March 3, 2025 and is open to members of the HDF family aged 21 and up. The application period will close on June 15th, and scholarship recipients will be announced by August 1st.