AIOPA - Monthly Meeting
Atlanta Inter-Orthodox Parish Association Meeting 05/29/2024
Attendees: Fr. George Ascente, Fr. Christos Mars, Fr. Miladin Blagojevic, Evelyn Kemp, Steve Sarantis, Jackie Sarantis, Mirjana Brockett, Stephanie, Spyridoula Fotinis, and Johanna Karas
Opening Prayer offered by Fr. Gabriel Tannous.
Fr. Christos welcomed everyone.
Spyridoula Fotinis discussed the Inter-Parish Association focus group. Spyridoula is asking the team to participate in the focus group. They are looking to gain insight and learn from our group to assist in creation of more IPAs across the country. HERE is the link for signing up.
Fr. Miladin of Sts. Peter and Paul Serbian Orthodox Church will host the Pan-Orthodox Pentecost Vespers and Picnic on Saturday, June 22nd which begins at 3pm. He asked for everyone to encourage our parishioners to attend. More details will be sent to team.
Fr. Christos gave and update on the Assembly of Bishop’s meeting taking place in Atlanta.
· Assembly of Bishops—September 28-October 2, 2024
There are 58 potential hierarchs that an added. Signed up has begun and will know better numbers in the next two months.
Below is the schedule of events.
§ Friday and Saturday arrival of Hierarchs/helpers to Atlanta
§ Saturday, September 28 Great Vespers with reception at St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church.
§ Sunday, September 29 Divine Liturgy at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation (unless the Bishops chose to visit their home church). Cultural event following Divine Liturgy in Kartos Ballroom (about an hour). Asking the group if they their parish can perform during the cultural event (dancers, singers, etc.). Fr. Christos’ is requesting representation from the group.
§ Monday, September 30 and Tuesday, October 1st meetings at Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation. Looking for 6 meals to be provided by the community during these meetings. Fr. Christos will be sending a sign up. Goal is to have smaller communities, who may not be able to contribute funds to help offset the costs, could cover one of the meals with prep, set up, serving and cleaning up, etc.
§ Wednesday, October 2nd Departure from the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation.
§ Sign up to be sent for welcome baskets to provide to the bishops upon arrival. They would receive at the hotel (for example, water, food, souvenir that would represent Georgia). One community can prepare a basket. We need each community to participate. Would like one parish to agree to provide the flowers.
§ Need to arrange pick up and drop off of hierarchs. Need to find volunteers from community to assist with transportation. Goal to have 2-3 hierarchs per vehicle. Maybe 2 volunteers/car for the pick-up.
Other Parish Events:
· Pan-Orthodox Pentecost Vespers and Picnic at Sts. Peter and Paul Serbian Orthodox Church Hellenic Orthodox Church, Lilburn, GA
o 3pm Vespers followed by Picnic
· St. Christopher Hellenic Orthodox Church, Peachtree City, GA
o Greek Festival—August 24th
· Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Atlanta, GA
o Atlanta Greek Festival—September 19-22.
· Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Macon, GA
o 17th Annual Central Georgia Greek Festival—October 25-27
More information to come on the times of the Festival.
o Nothing at this time about the Cross Dive, but more information to come.
Closing prayer offered by Fr. Miladin.
We will skip July and next meeting will be in August.