AIOPA - Monthly Meeting

Atlanta Inter-Orthodox Parish Association (AIOPA) 8/25/26
Attendees: Fr. Christos, Evelyn Kemp, Spyridoula Fotinis, Yana Polikarpov

Fr. Christos offered the opening prayer and welcomed all to the meeting.

Our focus was on a few events coming up in the next few months and updates with respective Greek Festivals.

New Participant Introduction

·       Yana Polikarpov was introduced as the new Pastoral Assistant at Annunciation Cathedral and welcomed to AIOPA participation.

Key Updates

Pan-Orthodox Cross Dive

·      Scheduled for Saturday, September 19 in Macon, GA.

·      Activities begin around 11:00 AM with food and fellowship; the cross dive will take place at the end of the program, followed by medals and certificates.

·      This is the first attempt to hold the event on the Saturday after the Feast of the Holy Cross.

·      Participation may be affected by regional scheduling conflicts.

Parish Updates

Annunciation Cathedral

·      The Atlanta Greek Festival is paused this year while leadership evaluates a more sustainable model; a Drive-Thru will be held September 24–27.

·      Fabulous Greek Night is scheduled for October 24 and is open to Atlanta-area Orthodox communities.

·      The Cathedral will host its annual Chili Cook-Off on October 4.

·      Upcoming events include the Catholic-Orthodox Initiative dinner with Dr. Bill Marianas on August 27 and theHoly Transfiguration Parish Retreat on August 28–29.

Saint Christopher

·      St. Christopher’s South Atlanta Annual Golf Classic is scheduled for October 26, and will take place at Eagles Landing Country Club.

St. Patrick Orthodox Mission

·      St. Patrick Orthodox Mission in Carrollton is hosting a special reunion of the early Ancient Faith podcast "Our Life in Christ", scheduled for October 3.

Saints Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene

·      Construction continues of their new Family Life Center, with anticipated occupancy by March, near Great Lent.

·      The parish will not hold its annual festival this year due to construction.

·      A Philoptochos Brunch is scheduled for the upcoming Saturday after Divine Liturgy.

·      Additional fall events will be announced as details are finalized.

Assembly of Bishops Updates

·      Monthly IPA Community Calls continue for participants nationwide.

·      The next call will feature the Akron, OH IPA.

·      Spyridoula will miss several upcoming AIOPA meetings due to a class conflict but remains available for follow-up.

Sunday of Orthodoxy Planning

·      Planning began for the next Sunday of Orthodoxy speaker.

·      Spyridoula and Fr. Nick Anton will offer speaker recommendations.

Next meeting

·      Takes place on Zoom on September 29, 2026.

Fr. Christos offered the closing prayer to close out the meeting.