In addition to Metropolitan Alexios' announcements on the ministries and new programs of our Metropolis, His Eminence has invited Louis Kircos, Chairman of the Archdiocese Finance Committee to share the financial situation and progress of the Archdiocese. Louis is looking forward to visiting us and answering questions from participants. Mike Missions, Chair of the Metropolis Finance Committee will oversee an hour-long question and answer session on the Archdiocese Allocation process to assist our parishes. Other topics feature updates on the Archdiocese Youth Protection Act, Youth, Education, and Culture ministries, Strategic Plan, and our Metropolis' involvement with the Lilly Endowments National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders. All Clergy and Parish Council members of our parishes are asked to attend.

All Metropolis of Atlanta women are encouraged to join us for our annual spring retreat at the Diakonia Retreat Center. "Reaching IN to Reach OUT: Preparing Our Lives for Philanthropy" is this year's spiritual theme. Presenter is Fr. Mark Leondis, Proistamenos of St. Mark Greek Orthodox Church, Boca Raton, FL.

The Antiquities Department of Cyprus has unveiled images of a fascinating ancient mosaic floor uncovered in the Akaki area of Nicosia.

His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios was in Constantinople this week participating in the Holy Synod meetings. He departed from there Friday morning and is safely in Greece.

July 6, 2016, Washington, DC -- Many of the United States' top foreign policy leaders put statements in the Congressional Record and on social media praising Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the historic Holy and Great Council that convened in Crete, Greece June 19-26. Below are excerpts from these statements and links to their full remarks.

Religious Liberty Workshop, featuring two case studies highlighting uniquely successful approaches to educating the faithful on the human rights challenges of our day. Speakers included Fr. Philemon Patitsas, John Manos, Gus Pablecas, and Harry Dimopoulos.

The first forum of the Clergy Laity Congress focused on a report of the Holy & Great Council from our Hierarchs and Clergy who attended it.

His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios challenges Clergy Laity delegates to ask themselves "What can I do to be the 'voice of Christ' in today's changing world."

The 43rd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress Begins in Nashville with Divine Liturgy

Metropolitan Alexios is deeply grateful to be part of the Patriarchal Delegation at the Holy and Great Council. He wants the faithful to know what a blessing it has been for Him to be part of this historic gathering. Here, Metropolitan Alexios is signing the first official documents and afterwards meeting at dinner with His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew and those in His delegation.

Metropolitan of Atlanta, US, Alexios, is speaking exclusively on Pemptousia and OCN, for his experiences from Holy and Great Council

The official texts of the opening speeches and adresses for the Holy and Great Council are available at https://www.holycouncil.org/documents in their original languages. Translations will be posted as they become available.

CRETE — On the second day of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church, the Divine Liturgy was held at the Sacred Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery of Gonia, with His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem presiding from the throne. Afterward, the Hierarchs continued their work in the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sessions of the Council.

View daily video updates from the Holy & Great Council in Crete

His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios is part of the Patriarchal Delegation, attending meetings, briefings, church services, and social functions of the Holy & Great Council in Crete.

Several events of the Holy and Great Council, an historic gathering for the Orthodox Christian Churches and the first of its kind in 1200 years, are available to the public via livestreaming.

Orthodox Christian leaders meeting for a historic council aimed at promoting unity made a last-minute appeal Friday to the Russian Orthodox Church and three others to attend the gathering, the first such meeting in more than a millennium.

Metropolitan Alexios, who is serving as a member of the Holy and Great Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, speaks to Pemptousia about the Holy and Great Synod

With Byzantine grandeur and splendor and with the presence of representatives of the Orthodox Patriarchates and Autocephalous Churches, His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon of Veroia (working and planning since 1994) consecrated the ancient Church of the Holy Apostles Peter & Paul on Sunday, June 5. This Church is a gem with its unique frescoes of many different periods spanning 400 years. His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios, representing His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew, presided over the Vespers on Saturday, June 4, with Metropolitan Panteleimon earlier having transferred the sacred relics to be enshrined in the Holy Altar during the Consecration that took place on Sunday.

A website, www.orthodoxcouncil.org, provides background information on the Holy and Great Council, which will meet in Crete June 16-27