On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, was pleased to welcome as its honored guests His Eminence Metropolitan Sevastianos of Atlanta and the Greek Consul of Atlanta, the Honorable Konstantinos Adamopoulos, to Knoxville for meetings with federal, state, and local officials as well as to celebrate the Feast of the church’s patron saint, the Holy Great Martyr George the Trophy-Bearer. The visit and day’s activities were hosted by Knoxville’s AHEPA chapter and its president, the Honorable U.S. District Judge Thomas Varlan, its Daughters of Penelope chapter and its president, Mrs. Anna Duffey, and the church’s parish council and its president, Mr. Peter Coromilas Jones, as well as the church’s parish priests, V. Rev. Fr. Dionysis Lampropoulos and Rev. Fr. Anthony Stratis.

The day began with a Divine Liturgy celebrating the Saint George Feast Day, presided over by His Eminence, followed by a coffee hour in honor of His Eminence and Consul Adamopoulos. His Eminence also presided over Vespers the evening before the Divine Liturgy in connection with the Saint George Feast Day.

Following, His Eminence and the Consul, joined by Judge Varlan, Mr. Jones, and Father Dionysis, participated in a series of meetings with various community leaders and officials. The day included a luncheon with officials from the University of Tennessee and its Howard H. Baker, Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, and from Pellissippi State Community College, and separate meetings with representatives from the offices of United States Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty. At both meetings, those assembled had the opportunity to discuss geopolitical issues related to Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey as well as many additional religious, educational, and public policy matters.

 Additional meetings were held with City of Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon and Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs as well as various members of their staffs. Discussions included reflections on the contributions of the Orthodox and Greek-American diaspora to local and regional civic life and the broader national fabric of the United States. Also, the Mayors were thanked for their support of the local Greek Orthodox community and the church’s annual Greek Festival, which for over 40 years has contributed to the local community’s cultural fabric as well as financially contributing to those less fortunate in our community.

 The day concluded with a Saint George Feast Day celebration dinner at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church with over 180 people in attendance. The dinner, emceed by Judge Varlan, was highlighted by the remarks of both His Eminence and Consul Adamopoulos, who reflected on the day’s meetings and activities as well as offering words of wisdom and encouragement to the local Saint George community. Also attending the dinner and spending time with His Eminence and the Consul was the Honorable Victor Ashe, former U.S. Ambassador to Poland and former Mayor of Knoxville. The dinner concluded with the presentation of icons of Saint George to His Eminence and Consul Adamopoulos by Father Dionysis and Father Anthony as an expression of appreciation for their visit to Knoxville.