More than 350 persons from the U.S. and Greece attended the celebratory banquet honoring the first Metropolitan of Atlanta, His Eminence Alexios. Hosted by His Eminence Metropolitan Sevastianos at Annunciation Cathedral in Atlanta, the event brought clergy families and parish families together to recall and share the blessings of the nearly 30 years of service from Metropolitan Alexios. Family members, including brothers and nieces, traveled from Greece and expressed heartfelt thanks to their U.S. family for uniting together through Metropolitan Alexios' love for them and the faithful of His Metropolis.

 

Program highlights included a special message read from His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew, a video message from His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, and adult and youth leaders and speakers expressing thanksgiving for the impact of Metropolitan Alexios' ministry that included a pictorial tribute spanning many decades. Special guests in attendance included Konstantinos Adamopoulos, Consul of Greece in Atlanta, The Most Reverend Gregory Hartmayer, Catholic Archbishop of Atlanta, and Dr. Demetrios Katos, President of Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, MA. Cathedral youth dancers ended the evening with a special tribute thanking His Eminence for bringing the Hellenic Dance Festival into the forefront of our metropolis youth ministry.

 

More photos will be posted soon but these give a glimpse of the joy of Friday night's gathering. Clergy are presented above and Presbyteres below, followed by the celebrating cake decorated with a detailed image of the exterior Panagia Chapel at the Alexios Retreat Center in Salem, SC.

On Saturday morning, His Eminence Metropolitan Sevastianos officiated at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy commemorating the Metropolis' Patronal Feast of Archangel Michael in the Metropolitan Archangel Michael Chapel. Joining him in the Altar were Metropolis Chancellor, Fr. George Tsahakis, Cathedral Dean, Fr. Paul Kaplanis, Cathedral Ephemerios, Fr. Christos Mars, Fr. Efstratios Anthony of Annunciation Cathedral, and Fr. Michael Platanis, Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Columbia, SC. In his homily, Metropolitan Sevastianos commended those present for their faithful stewardship as our Lord's angels, and recognized those celebrating their name day.

Saturday night, His Eminence Metropolitan Sevastianos hosted the Archangel Michael Feast and Honors Banquet with more than 360 in attendance from our 75 parishes throughout the southeast. In advance of Veterans Day on November 11th, our veterans were recognized and thanked for their service. Afterwards Metropolitan Sevastianos and Metropolitan Alexios awarded medals to the nearly 80 honorees who were present. Honorees who were not present will receive their medals and certificates from their parish clergy on one of the next two Sundays. More photos will be posted soon.

We thank God for the blessings of this weekend and pray for many more years for Metropolitan Sevastianos, Metropolitan Alexios, and those celebrating the Archangels on Saturday and St. Nektarios on Sunday. Prayers that everyone returns home safely.