PATRIARCHAL VISIT For photo gallery of Atlanta visit
go to http://www.patriarchate.org/multimedia/photos

Charlie Rose interview with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

go to: http://www.charlierose.com/


FROM THE CHANCELLOR'S DESK Reverend Clergy and the Faithful of the Holy and God-protected Metropolis of Atlanta

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

A vocalist always spent a few minutes alone in her dressing room before a concert. Her maid, who locked the door and stood guard, has told what happened in those last moments of preparation. The singer would stand in the middle of the floor, her shoulders back, and her head up, draw a deep breath, strike a clear, vibrant note, and hold it as long as her breath lasted. When the overtones had all died away, she would look up and say: “Master, Who has given me this undeserved gift, let me ring true tonight.”

When we realize what a gift God’s invitation to His kingdom is to us, we too will try our best to ring true. We have been invited to a grand feast of worship today, and as we come forward to receive His Precious Body and Blood, our lives ought to be changed. Indeed, if we come prepared to worship, ready for prayer, and conscious of our dependence upon God, then our worship will be alive and sincere.

Thinking of the many gifts that God has blessed us with here in our Metropolis of Atlanta, on behalf of His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios, we welcome our many co-workers to our Annual Archangel Michael Feast and Honors Banquet this weekend. We congratulate all the honorees who have been selected by their parishes, as well as Fr. Peter Atsales, Fr. Nicholas Spirakis, Presbytera Despina Trivelas, Mary Prinos, Dr. Kyriakos Pantazis, Jimmy Caras, Mike Moraitakis, Mike Balsamides and Dr. George Mavros, who have been selected for the “Metropolitan's Choice” award by His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios.

We also thank our many faithful who will join us in Atlanta this weekend for our Vicars/Ambassadors Meetings, Metropolitan Council Meeting, Metropolis Philoptochos Board Meeting, Archons Meeting, Diakonia Deca Meeting, and HDF Executive Board Meeting.

This week, we honor and celebrate our Patron Saint and the lives of one adult and one youth from each parish, who are the living examples of the Orthodox Christian life and journey to Theosis. By extension, this special Metropolis feast is also the annual Metropolitan celebration and thanksgiving for all devout stewards of faith, time and talent, “Who first give themselves to the Lord by the will of God.”

Truly the unselfish offering of time, talent, and resources on the part of those who faithfully serve the Lord in our Metropolis is a special gift from God. We praise our Lord for His many blessings. May He guide all who are visiting Atlanta this weekend with safe travels, as well as spiritual enlightenment and joy and bless them with a safe return home.


Faithfully,
V. Rev. Fr. George Tsahakis
Chancellor


ARCHANGEL MICHAEL FEAST DAY AND HONORS 2009 The Archangel Michael Feast was prayerfully conceived by His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios
upon His arrival to Atlanta, as the annual double feast of the Metropolitan family. Since 1998, the Metropolitan family comes together in Atlanta on the weekend of, prior to, or following the November 8th Feast of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. It is to honor and celebrate our Patron Saint and the lives of one adult and one youth from each parish, who are the living examples of the Orthodox Christian life and journey to Theosis. By extension, this special Metropolis feast is also the annual Metropolitan celebration and thanks giving for all devout stewards of faith, time and talent, "Who first give themselves to the Lord by the will of God.


The Twelfth Annual Archangel Michael Feast & Honors Program
November 7-8, 2009
Honors Banquet & Program
Saturday, November 7, 2009 ~7:00 PM

Metropolis Annunciation Cathedral
Thalia N. Carlos Hellenic Center
Kartos Ballroom
2500 Clairmont Road NE
Atlanta, Georgia

Archieratical Divine Liturgy offered by
His Eminence Alexios I, Metropolitan of Atlanta
Sunday, November 8, 2009 ~ 9:30 AM
Cathedral of the Annunciation
Fellowship will follow in Annunciation Cathedral~ Carlos Hall


Accommodations: Marriott Century Center
2000 Century Boulevard NE - Atlanta, GA 30345 (404) 325-0000
$94.00 per night (Reservation under "Archangel Michael Weekend 2009")
(Reservation Cut Off Date: October 23, 2009)


FEAST DAYS and NAME DAYS FOR THE COMING WEEK Nov. 8
7th Sunday of Luke
Synaxis of the Archangel Michael & the other Bodiless Powers: Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, & Barachiel

Nov. 9
Monday of the 8th Week
Nektarios the Wonderworker, Bishop of Pentapolis
Onesiphoros and Porphyrios of Ephesus
Matrona, Abbess of Constantinople
Theoctiste of the Isle of Lesbos
Symeon the Translator

Nov. 10
Tuesday of the 8th Week
Erastos, Olympas, Herodion, Sosipatros, Quartus, Tertios, Apostles of the 70
Holy Father Arsenius of Cappadocia
Our Holy Father Gregory, Bishop of Assa
Orestes the Martyr of Cappadocia

Nov. 11
Wednesday of the 8th Week
Menas of Egypt
Saint Victor and Stephanie
Theodore the Studite
Holy Martyr Vincent

Nov. 12
Thursday of the 8th Week
John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria
Nilus the Ascetic of Sinai
Saint Martin, Bishop of Tours

Nov. 13
Friday of the 8th Week
John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople
Damaskinos the New Martyr of Mount Athos

Nov. 14
Saturday of the 8th Week
Philip the Apostle
Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessaloniki
Holy Great New Martyr Constantine of Hydra

















































































































INVITATION FROM THE ST. NEKTARIOS PARISH COMMUNITY It is with great joy and anticipation that we invite you and your community to join us here at Saint Nektarios as we celebrate the feast day of our patron saint. While realizing that everyone has a busy schedule, it is our hope and prayer that somehow you will be able to participate.

To help us better prepare for your visit, please notify our church office staff when you and/or members of your community will be joining us. If you desire further information, please contact us.

Feast Day of Saint Nektarios Nov. 9
VENERATION AND SERVICE SCHEDULE
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8
8:15 a.m. Orthros
9:15 a.m. Divine Liturgy
5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Sanctuary open for veneration
6:00 p.m. Great Vespers
with the Blessing of the Loaves
(Artoclasia)
and Anointing of the Congregation
(with the holy oil from the vigil lamp
illuminating the Holy Relics)
Followed by A Fellowship Reception and Mini Vigil
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9
10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy
Followed by a Feast Day Brunch
Sanctuary open for
veneration until 3:00 p.m.


St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church
5108 Kuykendall Road, Charlotte, NC 28270
Phone:704-708-4669 Fax: 704-846-6094 Email: office@stnektarios.org
Website :www.stnektarios.org




May the intercessory prayers of the great wonderworker Saint Nektarios be with us always.



PARISH BULLETIN BOARD AXIOS! Congratulations to Fr. William Gaines.During the visit of His All Holiness to HOLY TRINITY, New Orleans, Patriarch Bartholomew proclaimed Fr. Bill as a Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne. A worthy tribute to Fr. Bill's over 60 years of priestly ministry.

Parish Council Training Session, Monroe, LA, Nov. 14, 10am

HOLY TRINITY, Clearwater, FL Greek School graduating class is raising money for their end of the year graduation pilgrimage to Boston by caroling at homes, Christmas parties and businesses.

HOLY TRINITY/HOLY CROSS, Birmingham, AL Nov. 8, Outreach Sunday, a day when parishioners are encouraged to attend the Divine Liturgy with family members, friends, and guests who do not attend our church regularly. This is also GODPARENTS SUNDAY, when Godparents and godchildren are encouraged to come to church together to worship and receive Holy Communion. A luncheon, sponsored by the Daughters of Penelope, will follow.

HOLY TRINITY/HOLY CROSS, Birmingham, AL Philoptochos invites entire Parish to Annual St. Nicholas Vespers & Memorial Service Saturday, December 5, 5pm. Those who have passed away will be remembered with the annual Memorial Tree. Bring an ornament in honor of someone you love who is no longer with you

HOLY TRINITY/HOLY CROSS, Birmingham, AL Philoptochos College Students Outreach 101, Nov. 10, 6:30pm. Philoptochos will assemble exam care packages to be mailed to students.

Congratulations to Elene Weaver HOLY TRINITY/HOLY CROSS, Birmingham, AL, who was crowned Homecoming Queen for Hoover High School.

ST. PAUL, Savannah, GA 6th, 7th & 8th grade Sunday School students and
their teachers, along with Philoptochos will be collecting new or gently used (non-religious) children and adult books for the patients and parents at the Children’s Hospital.

ANNUNCIATION, Winston-Salem, NC DOP are collecting unwrapped Christmas gifts (ages 0-16) for abused children’s annual Christmas party at the SCI Center through Nov. 30
.
Since June, ST. JOHN, Myrtle Beach, SC has donated 31 bags/boxes to Citizens Against Spouse Abuse, including clothing, household items, books, and non-perishable food. During this flu season they especially need hand sanitizers for the safe houses, as well as paper products such as toilet paper and paper towels, and laundry detergent.

ST. JOHN, Myrtle Beach, SC is hosting the American Red Cross Christmas dinner. Gift bags will be presented to 200 children and 200 elderly attendees. Philoptochos is seeking donations of items for the gift bags: white cotton socks, winter gloves, lip balm, hot cocoa (regular and sugar free), individual boxes of raisins, cases of fruit, coffee mugs, assorted wrapped candy, crackers and cookies, toothbrushes, toothpaste, travel-sized shampoos, conditions, and other toiletries; combs, small trinket-type toys for kids, coloring/activity books, crayons, pens, pencils, small stuffed animals, and red and green tissue paper.

OMAS, ST. MARK, Boca Raton, FL is sponsoring an Angel Tree, to provide gifts for the children of "The Baby House," thru Dec.6













COMING EVENTS Nov. ANNUNCIATION, Atlanta, GA Philoptochos Toys for Tots Dinner Meeting, Thurs., Nov. 5, 7pm, Dinner $12, bring a NEW UNWRAPPED toy

STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN,Fayetteville, NC Holly Day Fair, Nov. 5-8

ST. KATHERINE, Melbourne, FL My Big Fat Greek Marketplace, Nov. 6-7

ST. NICHOLAS,Ft. Pierce,FL Philoptochos Annual Rummage Sale, Nov. 6-7

CHRIST THE SAVIOR, Spring Hill, FL Garage Sale, Nov. 6-7

ST. KATHERINE, Melbourne, FL Nov. 6-7 Garage Sale sponsored by Philoptochos

ST. JOHN,Tampa,FL Annual Fall Festival Nov. 6-8

ST. SOPHIA, Winter Haven, FL Philoptochos 1st Annual Christmas Bazaar & Craft Show, Nov. 7, 10am-4pm

ST. SOPHIA, Miami, FL Philoptochos Bazaar Saturday, Nov. 7, 8am-4pm

ST. KATHERINE, Naples, FL South Florida Regional GOYA event beach volleyball tournament & social Nov.7-8

HOLY TRINITY,Clearwater,FL Philoptochos rummage sale Saturday, Nov. 7

ST. MARK, Boca Raton, FL Youth Choir Fundraiser, Nov. 7, 3pm,classical violin recital,free-will donation benefits Youth Choir

HOLY TRINITY/ST. JOHN, Jackson, MS Thanksgiving Luncheon Sunday, Nov.
8, hosted by Philoptochos

HOLY TRINITY, Charlotte, NC “Yiayia’s Kouzina” 7th Annual Greek Sampler Luncheon,Sunday,Nov. 8,10:30am-1:30pm, $10/adults,$3/children, benefiting preschool program

ST. NEKTARIOS, Charlotte, NC Philoptochos Nov. 8 Angel Tree Project Kick-off

HOLY TRINITY, Orlando, FL Stewardship Luncheon Nov. 8,free food, drinks & dancing

ST. MARK, Boca Raton, FL Thanksgiving Luncheon Nov. 8,$17/adults, $10/children under 12

ST. NEKTARIOS, Charlotte, NC Philoptochos Nov. 9 St. Nektarios Feast Day Brunch

Tampa Bay area Presvyteres meeting, Wed., Nov. 11, ST. NICHOLAS, Tarpon Springs, FL

ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, Stuart, FL First Celebration of their Patron Saint, Great Vespers Thursday, Nov. 12, 7pm followed by the Artoklasia then coffee hour. Feast Day Liturgy Friday, Nov. 13, 10am followed by pot luck coffee hour






SAVE THE DATE - Nov. 14-30
ST. ATHANASIOS, Gulf Shores, AL Fall Yard Sale and Bake Sale Saturday, Nov. 14, 8am

ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, Stuart, FL BAKE SALE Saturday, Nov. 14, 10am-3pm

ST. BARBARA, Sarasota, FL Philoptochos ANNUAL HOLIDAY BAZAAR Sat,Nov. 14, 10am-4pm

HOLY TRANSFIGURATION, Marietta, GA 20th Anniversary Celebration Glendi, Saturday Nov. 14, Great Vespers 5pm, Dinner-dance 6pm

ST. GEORGE, New Port Richey, FL Nov 14 Anniversary Dance

HOLY TRINITY, Clearwater, FL HOPE & JOY Movie Night, Nov. 13, 6-8pm, RSVP, dinner, drinks & snacks. JOY invited to stay for Advent retreat

National Philoptochos Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon, Nov. 14, Boca Raton Resort and Club, hosted by the Metropolis of Atlanta

HOLY TRINITY, Raleigh, NC Fr. Paul Kaplanis 25th anniversary celebration lunch Sat., Nov. 14

ST. BARBARA, Sarasota, FL Philoptochos Annual Fall Bazaar Nov. 14

ANNUNCIATION, Winston-Salem, NC bake sale & Red Cross blood drive Nov. 14 8am

SS. RAPHAEL, NICHOLAS & IRENE, Cumming, GA Nov. 15 hosts GA Tech OCF for Divine Liturgy and Sunday dinner

ST. CHRISTOPHER, Peachtree City, GA GOYA Gyro Fundraiser $5/person or $20/ family Nov. 15

HOLY TRINITY, New Orleans, LA YOUTH SUNDAY & FAMILY OUTREACH SUNDAY
Nov. 15 Sermonettes offered by Goyans Mathoula Bilalis & Anna Malachias

ST. NEKTARIOS, Charlotte, NC Philoptochos Nov. 17 Christmas Treat Bags for Homeless Shelter

STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN, Fayetteville, NC World’s Largest Spaghetti Dinner & Greek Pastry Sale, Nov. 18, 10am-8pm, $6

ST, GEORGE, Greenville,SC Philoptochos Bake Sale Nov. 19

HOLY TRINITY, Clearwater, FL THANKSGIVING HARVEST, traditional Thanksgiving meal, sponsored by Philoptochos. Donations:Adults/$10 Students/$5 Thursday, Nov. 19,4-7pm

ANNUNCIATION, Winston-Salem, NC GOYA Advent Retreat Nov. 20-22

ST. GEORGE, New Port Richey,FL Nov. 21 Golf Tournament

ST CATHERINE PANIYIRI Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 21-22 11am-11pm Saturday, Noon-8pm on Sunday

ST. PAUL, Savannah, GA Stewardship Sunday & luncheon, Nov. 22

ST. JOHN, Jacksonville, FL Thanksgiving Day Divine Liturgy, Nov. 26, 9am followed by Community Thanksgiving Breakfast

HOLY TRINITY, Clearwater, FL Hellas Dancers “Steps and Notes,” Nov. 28, 6:30pm doors open, performance 8pm, $20 donation includes mezethes, show & dancing

ST. MARK, Boca Raton, FL 14th Annual Dinner Dance Fashion Show, “A Fairy Tale” Sunday Nov. 29,5pm.Donations $35





SAVE THE DATE - Dec. and 2010 HOLY APOSTLES, Winterville, NC Holiday Pastry Sale on Wednesday, Dec.2 & Thursday, Dec. 3 benefiting Building Fund

ST. MARK, Boca Raton, FL Philoptochos December 5, Annual Dinner Dance Auction, Hellenic Band

ST. BARBARA, Sarasota, FL Holiday Dinner Dance, Dec. 6

ST. MARK, Boca Raton, FL Nova Singers Fall Concert, Sunday Dec. 6, 4pm, $10 donation requested. Reservations.

HOLY TRANSFIGURATION, Marietta, GA HOPE/JOY Dec. 6, Mellow Mushroom - 5:30pm then Bethlehem Walk at Mountainview UMC

HOLY TRINITY, Orlando, FL Philoptochos annual Christmas Party Thursday
December 10, 6:30pm

SS. RAPHAEL, NICHOLAS & IRENE, Cumming, GA Dec. 12, Blessing of the Animals and a visit from St. Nicholas

ST. NEKTARIOS, Charlotte, NC Philoptochos Dec. 12 11:30am Christmas Brunch Benefit Holy Angels

ST. SOPHIA, Winter Haven, FL 5th Anniversary Thyranoixia Celebration Weekend, Dec. 12-13

ST. NICHOLAS, Ft. Pierce, FL Dinner Dance, Dec. 12

SS. RAPHAEL, NICHOLAS & IRENE, Cumming, GA Dec. 19 Family Night Christmas Celebration, caroling & fellowship

ST. DEMETRIOS, Ft. Lauderdale, FL PAN-ORTHODOX COLLEGE STUDENT NIGHT free dinner and talk Dec. 29, 7-9pm, guest speaker Fr. Philip Reese

ST. GEORGE, New Port Richey, FL Annual New Year’s Eve Dinner Dance, Dec. 31

HOLY TRINITY, Orlando, FL New Year’s Party, Appetizers, dinner, dessert, music, $35/Adults $25/Children 4-9 yr, 8pm-1am

2010
HOLY TRINITY, Birmingham, AL January 29-31 GOYA Volleyball Tournament

STS. MARKELLA & DEMETRIOS, Ft. Walton, FL Western Conference Youth Rally & Cross Dive, Jan. 15-18, 2010

ST. MARK, Boca Raton, FL Greek Festival January 21-24, 2010

ST. SOPHIA, Miami, FL Festival Feb. 19-21, 2010

Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos 4th Annual Spiritual Retreat, Diakonia Retreat Center Salem, South Carolina, March 12 – 14, 2010

ST. SOPHIA, Miami, FL Saturday, April 10, S. FL GOYA District Family Night


YOUTH NEWS by Presbytera Mari NEWS FROM THE YOUTH OFFICE...

WINTER YOUTH RALLY INFORMATION IS HERE!!!
Get ready! Winter Youth Rally is fast approaching and the much anticipated information/forms have been sent out! Please be sure to read everything very carefully, as we have some major changes this year. The biggest change is in the area of registration. All individual GOYAns will be responsible for registering online through the Metropolis website and sending in all the other associated forms (Metropolis waiver, medical history form, GOYA covenant, etc) as well as individual registration fees to the Metropolis! Registration will not open until October 1st, at which time the link on the Metropolis website will be activated and everyone can begin registering. Advisors will still be responsible for registering the teams and remitting team fees to the Metropolis via the parish. All registrations, rosters, and fees are due by November 5th. Bible bowl information is included in the packet. Again, please be sure to read all the information carefully! If you have any questions about registration, don't hesitate to email or call me at the information below, or email Suzi Pryles, WYR registration chairperson at WYRregistration@live.com. Cost is $225 for the first child of a family, $215 for the second child of a family, $205 for the third child of a family.

ADVENT RETREAT REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Deadline October 23rd. Cost is $85 per person! Please be sure to get your materials in on time, as this is a very popular event and is first come, first serve.

HDF: Save the date now!
The dancers are practicing, the directors are gearing up, the musicians are rehearsing, and ORLANDO is waiting!!!!! It's almost time to send in your letters of intent and your registration forms! HDF is fast approaching! Please see the attached save the date and mark your calendars! More information will be coming soon...

OCF Work daze...
is a great opportunity for fun and fellowship in the beautiful mountains of South Carolina at our Diakonia Retreat Center. Be sure to check it out and get registered soon!

N. FL GOYA ADVENT RETREAT
“Fruit of the Spirit”
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control” Galatians 5:22-23
Nov. 20 - 22
Lake Yale Conference Center
39034 CR 452
Leesburg, FL 34788
Download forms from our Website
www.htgocorlando.org



HOLY TRINITY, RALEIGH, NC HOLIDAY GIFT SHOPPE Holiday Gift Shoppe
Thursday, December 3, 4-8 pm
Friday, December 4, 11 am-8 pm
Saturday, December 5, 11 am-3 pm
The Place to Shop for the Holidays
Perfect Home, Garden, Kitchen and Bath Gifts
Including:
Gourmet Greek Food Gift Packages with Ingredients,
Cookbooks and Seasonings
Decorative Bird Houses and Feeders
Beautiful Bowls, Serving Dishes, & Platters
Homemade Jams
Homemade Canine Treats
Fragrant Soaps
10% of net proceeds will be donated to Pretty in Pink Foundation.
The remaining proceeds will benefit other charities.
Holiday Café
Sponsored by the Ladies Philoptochos Society
HOLIDAY CAFE
Featuring Delicious Greek Food
Full Dinner Menu - $13 Vegetarian Platter - $11
Half Chicken Riganato or Pastitsio Bean Soup
Spanakopita Spanakopita
Greek-style Green Beans Greek-style Green Beans
Salad Salad
Dinner Roll Dinner Roll
Dessert Dessert
A La Carte
Large Greek Salad $6
Spanakopita $4
Dolmathes $3
Soup $4
Iced Tea or Coffee $1
Take-Out Available.
10% of net proceeds will be donated to Pretty in Pink Foundation


LIFE OF ST. NEKTARIOS NOV. 9 Among the requirements for sainthood, the Church mentions; calling to sainthood; exemplary devotion to Christ and His teaching; performance of
miracles during the life and/or afterward; and an official declaration of the Church proclaiming the
candidate as a saint. Most of the time, the process is complicated and tenuous; the Church, in her
prudence, lets time confirm that someone was a saint and declares him as a saint a longtime after
his death (sometimes three to four centuries).
In the case of St. Nektarios, less than 41 years passed from the time of his death, Nov. 9, 1920 ‘till the declaration of his sainthood in April 1961 by the Synod of Constantinople. Why did the Church show such a
“rush” in declaring him a saint? Actually, it was not the Church, but the laity who declared St. Nektarios
a saint and then the Church listened to the people and made the formal declaration.
St. Nektarios was the fifth out of six children of a peasant family in Selymbria, Thrace. At the age of
thirteen he was sent to Constantinople, carrying all his
belongings in a bundle, with the hope of studying to become a cleric. He worked in a store for a while, and
then he became youth director of School of the Holy Sepulcher. During his teaching period he felt the calling for divine things; he went to the Island of Chios, where he entered the monastery of Nea Mone, taking the name of Lazarus.
A year later, Metropolitan Gregorios of Chios ordained him a deacon and gave him the name Nektarios.
After studies at the Academy of Athens and powerful ministry as priest, St. Nektarios was ordained on January
15, 1889, Bishop of Pentapolis, under the Patriarchate of Alexandria. He worked zealously under Patriarch Sophronios and for one year he served also as Bishop of Cairo, the most important city of Egypt. The envy and jealousy of powerful people and clerics, along with lack of support from Patriarch Sophronios, made the ministry of St. Nektarios
almost ineffective.
Being practically exiled and shunned by most of the ecclesiastical authorities, Metropolitan Nektarios returned to Greece where he served as a preacher for the province of Euboia and eventually as director of Rizarios Ecclesiastical School in Athens. His talent for preaching as well as his gift for writing books and pamphlets made him known all throughout Greece and other countries.
On December of 1908, at the age of 62, St. Nektarios withdrew to the Convent of Holy Trinity in Aegina, a Convent that he helped to establish in 1904. He lived there the rest of his life as monk in residence. St. Nektarios
guided the Convent ‘till his death of prostate cancer on the evening of Nov. 9, 1920 in a hospital in Athens. After
he had died, a nurse noticed a sweet fragrance coming from his body. Another nurse came and set about to change his clothing in order to bring him back to Aegina. Taking off his woolen undershirt, one of the nurses threw it on the next bed where there was a man who had been paralyzed for many years. Before they could finish, the man stood up and walked, praising God that he had been healed, and all were amazed. Many other miracles have been attributed to St. Nektarios, for this reason, along with the appellative ‘saint’; he was declared also ‘wonderworker’.
Considered as patron saint of people stricken with cancer, heart trouble and epilepsy, St. Nektarios is venerated by the Orthodox everywhere. His veneration is quite spread in America, many churches displaying his icon and performing services for his feast day. Our sister parish, St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church in Charlotte, enjoys the enviable privilege to hold relics of St. Nektarios.

Fr. Vasile Mihai, ST. PAUL, Savannah, GA



DRAWN FROM FAITH Different people look at life in different ways. How, then, do we see ourselves? How do we see the world around us? And, how do we see our Lord? As Orthodox Christians, our main perspective in life should be one of faith, since our faith is so important to us.



This truth can be applied in a number of ways, for example: most Christians wear a Cross around their neck. Is their Cross being worn as a personal reminder of their faith in Christ, Who offered Himself on the Cross? Or, is it worn simply as an ornament?



Being Orthodox Christians, our primary goal needs to be our salvation. Of course, salvation cannot be earned (we could never afford it anyway) since it is a gift from Christ; but our life needs to be consistent with our belief in Him. So, then, it is from the perspective of faith that we must frame or vision of life – even the commonplace daily routines and events.



In a prayer from the Liturgy of Basil, found immediately following the Great Entrance, the celebrant says: “Lord, our God, You created us and brought us into this life. You have shown us the way to salvation and have bestowed upon us the revelation of heavenly mysteries.”



If then, our faith in Christ frames our vision of life, that faith requires a positive response from us. All that we perceive and do is drawn from faith. However, for the person who lacks this perspective, they lack an authentic interaction, and relationship, with Christ!



To fill that void can only be through prayer, fasting, and the sacramental life of the Church – Eucharist, Unction, Confession. Sometimes, a person feels alienated from their Church. Their only recourse, on answer, is to return to a prayerful communication with Christ. Once those lines are reconnected, they see everything in the proper light, for it is all draw from faith!



St John of Kronstadt tells us that we, “ought to meditate upon things above, upon heaven, where Christ is, and not to cling to the corruptible blessings of the world.” His pastoral concern shines through with his warning that, “We pervert our life by withdrawing ourselves from the example set before us by the Lord, the apostles, the martyrs, the confessors, the unmercenary ones, and all the saints. They were not of this world.”



Rather than persisting in seeing life as the world does, let us see it all in accordance with our faith, and let our very thoughts, desires, goals, and actions be drawn from that faith.

Fr. Anthony Stratis, HOLY TRINITY, New Orleans, LA

CHURCH FATHERS SPEAK...
Someone asked Abba Macarius: “How should we pray’” The elder answered: “No good is served by getting bogged down in a lot of words. It is quite enough to stretch out your hands and say: “Lord, as it pleases you and in the way you know, have mercy.”