October 15, 2009
HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN ALEXIOS ON "OXI DAY"
“We will not say thereafter that the Greeks fight like heroes, but heroes fight like the Greeks!”
Winston Churchill

My dearly beloved,

This year we will commemorate the 69th anniversary of "OXI Day" – yet with all our celebrations, we will miss the point if we fail to realize that Oxi Day is more than a memory or a commemoration: it is the embodiment of Hellenism, the day on which brave Greek patriots said "NO" to fascism, injustice, and oppression.

In this way, the people of Greece chose the difficult and dangerous path of resistance. They chose to fight and even to die so that others might have the chance to live in freedom. This was an act of love and self-sacrifice that clearly exemplifies the ideals of our Orthodox Christian faith. In their courage and dedication, we see all of the highest virtues of our Hellenic Orthodox heritage: passion for justice and liberty, courage in adversity, unity in a common purpose, and willingness to sacrifice for the good of others. These are not only the ideals that nourish and motivate us, but they are also the values that we share with all free peoples who cherish liberty, equality and the rule of law.

As Greek-Americans, we are proud to commemorate and honor the sacrifices and the courage of the Greek people. Yet even more than pride, Oxi Day is our public acknowledgement and commitment to the understanding that Freedom is never free but is bought by the suffering and sacrifice of brave men and women.

We must not let Oxi Day simply become a quaint story from the past that has no meaning for us today. We also live in dangerous times - there are many challenges facing Greece, the United States and all freedom-loving peoples of the world. The willingness to confront evil and injustice, no matter what the cost ---that is the true meaning of Oxi Day!

My beloved ones, that is a message we must pass on to our children so that when the time comes and they are faced with evil and injustice…when they are asked to support something that they know is wrong, they will be inspired by the example of those who sacrificed their lives in the cause of liberty to respond with courage and love of God.

May we never take for granted the freedoms we enjoy, and never forget to use these freedoms for the good of our fellow man and in the service of our Lord. May we understand that our responsibility today is to carry on their glorious tradition and to reply “OXI!” to tyranny and oppression anywhere in the world.

May Almighty God bless us and keep us free of the tyrannies of our times so that we might serve Him with joy and gladness!

Χρονια πολλα!
With best wishes for a beautiful celebration, I remain,
Paternally yours
ALEXIOS
Metropolitan of Atlanta


October 15, 2009
HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN ALEXIOS ON CLERGY APPRECIATION MONTH
Reverend Clergy of the Holy and God-protected Metropolis of Atlanta

My dear con-celebrants and brothers in Christ,

“The most high and infinitely good God
has not granted to angels,
the power with which he has invested priests”
(St. John Chrysostom)

I greet you with love and joy in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! As you know, October is dedicated to Clergy Appreciation Month, which gives me the opportunity to greet you with love and let you know how thankful I am to Almighty God to be able to work alongside you in His Vineyard in the wonderful Eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriachate, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Metropolis of Atlanta.

Clergy Appreciation Month is a special time that set aside each year to honor priests and their families not only for all their hard work and sacrifice but also for all the blessings and love that they give to the flock that God has entrusted to their care. Although it is in October, I believe that it is also important to remember we should care for, pray for and love and support our priests and their families all through the year. After all, our priests and presvyteres and their families often live with the entire parish community watching their every move. They are expected to have ideal families, to be perfect people, to always be available, to never make mistakes or have problems. I know that it is the love and support of our presvyteres and their families that enables our priests to serve in this important role, so I want to personally thank them for their dedication to our Lord and His Holy Orthodox Church.

From one side, we are seeing and feeling how weak we are and how the temptations of the world and our own ego makes everything more difficult. But still, if we have in our hearts the love of Christ and will approach our ministry with a good will and a positive attitude, with love and compassion, we will be successful, because we know that “with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26).

Believe me, that as I look around, I am proud of you and all the work you have done for the Faithful, because I know that all of you are serving God truly and well in His Church. At the same time, let us think about all we can still accomplish. Let us pray for help, support, wisdom and inspiration from Above, as we strive to serve the Lord with gladness!

May God bless you with a joyful and peaceful heart and good health for many years! I remain,

Paternally yours with love in Christ,

+ALEXIOS
Metropolitan of Atlanta


October 22, 2009
UPDATE ON PATRIARCHAL VISIT FROM HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN ALEXIOS
October 14, 2009

Reverend Clergy and the Orthodox Faithful

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

“Let us all renew our commitment to work together
and bring about the changes we pray for…”
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Recently you received my personal invitation to you and your parish families to join with us in welcoming His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Atlanta on Thursday, October 29, 2009, at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, 2500 Clairmont Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. I hope and pray that many of you are planning to join us for this special and historic event, the “Ecumenical Gathering of Peace” from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with a reception to follow at the Cathedral.

Clergy should gather in the Atrium on the lower level of the Thalia Carlos Hellenic Center no later than 4:30 p.m., while your presbyteras and other parishioners should go directly to the Cathedral to find seats. Clergy should wear your rassa and crosses, if appropriate. For security reasons, clergy are asked not to enter the altar or to bring briefcases, backpacks, vestment bags or other bags. I would also ask that clergy RSVP as soon as possible to Mrs. Cindy Stanton, cstanton@atlmetropolis.org, 404-634-9345, ex. 11, if you will be able to join us so that we can ensure our clergy have reserved seats.

In this kind of spirit, we give thanksgiving and glory to Almighty God, beseeching Him for His All-Holiness’ health and well-being for many years, that He may bless our Patriarch with His wisdom and strength to inspire us and guide us in the True Faith. I remain,

Paternally yours with love in Christ,

ALEXIOS
Metropolitan of Atlanta