AIOPA - Monthly Meeting
Atlanta Inter-Orthodox Parish Association Meeting 01/28/2025
Attendees: Fr. Christos Mars, Amanda Johnson, Jackie Sarantis, Steve Sarantos and Evelyn Kemp
Opening Prayer offered by Fr. Christos Mars.
Fr. Christos welcomed everyone to the New Year of AIOPA meetings and activities. He thanked all those who served this past year and welcomed any new people who have joined.
Fr. Christos spoke about the Enthronement of His Eminence Metropolitan Sevastianos of Atlanta an that His Eminence is a spiritual son of Metropolitan Alexios, who guided and supported AIOPA from its inception. His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios will still be with us at events and he, along with Metropolitan Sevastianos, support our work and endeavors.
He also thanked all the communities who participated in the Pan-Orthodox Candlelight Service and Christmas Concert. It was a great success, and we look forward to doing it again next year. Tentative date is December 21, 2025.
We now look forward to the Pan-Orthodox Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers which will take place on Sunday, March 9 at 5pm at the Annunciation Cathedral. Rev. Fr. Barnabas Powell will be our guest homilist for that evening. Information will be sent out in February about the event.
Other Parish Events:
· The Annunciation Cathedral will host the Pan-Orthodox Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers on Sunday, March 9, 2025, starting at 5pm.
o Feast of the Annunciation is on March 25. All are invited to participate in the Vespers service on Monday, March 24 and the feast itself on March 25.
o Additionally, an Atlanta Greek Festival Drive Thru will take place from Friday to Sunday, April 4-6.
o The Archdiocesan Philoptochos will host their Medical Luncheon the weekend of September 27-28, 2025.
o The Atlanta Greek Festival will take place October 2-5, 2025.
· St. Christopher Greek Orthodox Church
o On Saturday, March 29 will host the Central Conference Oratorical Festival.
o Annual Greek Festival will take place on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
· St. John the Wonderworker, OCA Church
o Barn Dance Fundraiser will take place on Friday, February 28 from 6-11pm. Proceeds will go to teens summer house building mission trip. (See Attached Flier)
· The Orthodox Speaker Series at Emory University, sponsored by Atlanta OCF
o The dates and times for the lectures are as follows: (See Attached Flier)
The Good News about Hell: Jesus Christ’s Descent into Hades
By Rev. Dr. Silviu Bunta
Thursday, Jan 30, 7:00 PM
The Religion of Dying: The Role of Death in the Spiritual traditions of Eastern Christian Mysticism
By Hiermonk Seraphim Aldea
Thursday, Feb 6, 7:00 PM
In Dying We Live: The Martyric Foundations of the Church
By Dr. David Ford
Thursday, Feb 27, 7:00 PM
For all of these lectures, free parking is available at Peavine Parking lot (29 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA 30306), where it is a short walk to Emory AMUC (630 Means Dr, Atlanta, GA 30322) where the lecture will take place.
Closing prayer offered by Fr. Christos Mars.
Our next meeting to take place on Tuesday, February 25 at 7pm.