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We Are Privileged to Hold the True Light on behalf of our Lord, Jesus Christ
My dear Brother Clergy,
With the above words of my title in mind, on behalf of His Eminence Metropolitan Sevastianos, I humbly remind you of the awesome responsibility we have as clergy holding the Light of Christ to let it so shine in our pastoral ministry as to attract people from darkness to His Light.
In today's world, many things are being posted on the Internet and social media that oftentimes confuse and divide our Lord's Holy Church. This time last year, at the Clergy-Laity Assembly in San Diego, our Archbishop mentioned this very fact in his Clergy Breakfast Remarks: “…I am not saying that we cannot use the technological toolkits that are available to us. In fact, we have to use them, but use them in ways that are consistent with our theology, with the Holy Fathers, with the canonical order of the Church, and with Holy Tradition.” Following up on this wise thought, we also need to be on guard, carefully examining which social media posts and blogs are really ways for the Evil One to cause discord in Orthodoxy.
For this reason, I'm asking you to prayerfully consider what you write—not only in your sermons, but also on social media, and on blogs belonging to other individuals. If we consider all these media different teaching opportunities, we need to be sure that whatever we preach lifts the light of Christ and does not cause darkness or diffusion.
I encourage you with our Lord's assurance: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)
Faithfully yours with brotherly love,
Fr. George Tsahakis
Chancellor, Metropolis of Atlanta -
July 8, 2025 Reminders for Wedding PlanningMy dear Brother Clergy,
Thank you for sending in your wedding paperwork to our Registry Office at least four weeks in advance of the sacrament. Some clergy report they have difficulties with this and to help, we recommend they not confirm the date of the wedding with the bridal couple until the ecclesiastical paperwork is completed, just as they are used to doing when they reserve and make deposits for their reception venue.
Also, our Registry Office has been receiving calls related to planning delays as follows:
1) If an Orthodox is getting married abroad, the "Freedom to Marry Form" must be affirmed by our Metropolitan well in advance to ensure the destination clergy fulfill their local ecclesiastical obligations.
2) Our parishioners planning a re-marriage after a Civil Divorce need your help in obtaining an Ecclesiastical Divorce before any wedding dates are confirmed for a subsequent marriage. Proactively educating your parishioners that our Orthodox practice is that every parishioner who has received a Civil Divorce should not wait until re-marriage, but immediately begin seeking to return to be in good ecclesiastical standing. (This last point is unknown by many and we can help our faithful by offering our help much earlier.)
This message's aim is to support and remind our clergy that the Registry Office seeks to issue "Episcopal Licenses to Marry" quickly and efficiently. Your help with the above further assists this goal. We thank you.
For ongoing questions, feel free to contact JoAnne Mertzanis, [email protected], who oversees the Registry Office. You also can email me if needed.
Faithfully yours,
+Fr. George Tsahakis
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Important message - 10.7.25
From the Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. George Tsahakis
My dear Brother Clergy and Esteemed Parish Council Presidents,
In recent months there have been well-publicized violent attacks at and against houses of worship across our nation. In addition, our Greek Orthodox parishes have experienced a number of concerning, thankfully non-violent, security incidents in recent weeks. These deeply troubling incidents remind us of the importance of vigilance and preparedness. The safety of our faithful and the sanctity of our parishes are paramount concerns for the entire Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Our Archdiocese senior leadership is preparing a comprehensive security action plan that will be made available to every parish. In the meantime, the Archdiocese encourages our parish leadership to review the recommendations of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) which stresses that faith-based communities should take common-sense steps to identify risks, protect facilities, and prepare volunteers to detect and respond to potential threats (https://www.cisa.gov/topics/physical-security/protecting-houses-worship) In addition, I ask, on behalf of His Eminence Metropolitan Sevastianos that all communities be on high alert, particularly attentive to strangers or individuals acting suspiciously on or near parish property. In the meantime, our Archdiocese encourages us to to share this email with their parish leadership, and to review the recommendations.
Please remember:
• Parishes may and should exclude anyone who presents a danger or disruption to services. Do not hesitate to take such action in consultation with your local law enforcement.
• Parish Council members should greet and observe those entering. A warm welcome may also serve as an important moment to identify unusual behavior (“the power of hello,” as the CISA guidelines note.
• Secure your facilities. Keep side doors locked from outside entry during services while ensuring they remain free for exit.
• Coordinate with local law enforcement. Invite them for a walk-through of your church complex and ask for their advice on emergency response procedures.
On behalf His Eminence, I commend our dedicated clergy and parish leaders who already take these responsibilities seriously. With God’s help, and through careful preparation, we will continue to keep our churches safe, welcoming, and prayerful sanctuaries for all.
Faithfully yours with brotherly love,
+Very Rev. Fr. George Tsahakis
Chancellor
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta | 2480 Clairmont Rd. NE | Atlanta, GA 30329 US
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Memory EternalDear Brother Clergy,
With a heavy heart and deep love in Christ, I offer my condolences and prayers for the repose of the soul of my beloved friend and coworker in the Lord’s Holy Vineyard, George Matthews. His falling asleep in the Lord marks the earthly end of a life beautifully lived in service to our Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Church.George’s legacy is one of tireless dedication. He labored faithfully to assist countless parishes—not only within our blessed Metropolis of Atlanta, but throughout the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. His quiet generosity and unwavering support for others, whether in financial hardship or personal struggle, calls to mind the earliest Christians in Jerusalem, who “had all things in common” and gave freely to those in need (Acts 2:44–45).His respect and devotion to both clergy and laity, his reverence for the sacred traditions of our Church, and his love for the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople were hallmarks of a heart set aflame by the love of Christ. George’s soul was truly on fire for the Lord.As we journey through this sacred week in which we remember the precious and life-giving Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are reminded that George not only carried his own cross with grace and humility, but he also helped countless others carry theirs. His life was a living icon of Christ’s love—selfless, sacrificial, and steadfast.To his beloved family and dear friends who mourn his loss, we take solace in the cherished memories of working alongside him in the Lord’s Vineyard. May the Lord grant his family and friends comfort and peace, and may George’s memory be eternal—αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη αὐτοῦ—among the righteous who have pleased God.
Faithfully yours,
+Fr. George Tsahakis, Chancellor
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Upcoming Clergy Retreat - Register TodayDear Brother Clergy,
On behalf of His Eminence Metropolitan Sevastianos of Atlanta, I encourage you to register for our next Metropolis of Atlanta Clergy Retreat scheduled for February 3-5, 2026 at our Diakonia Retreat Center.
Yes, it is a ways off, but in making this announcement, I wanted to encourage you likewise, to take the opportunity to register for our National Clergy Retreat in Naples, FL, in October. The APC has sent you that information already.
So as not to have our next Metropolis Clergy Retreat so close to the National Retreat this Fall, His Eminence Metropolitan Sevastianos chose to have our next Metropolis Clergy Retreat the first week of Triodion in 2026. It will be Tuesday through Thursday, February 3 - 5, 2026. Arrival is scheduled from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, and departure either at lunch (1:30 p.m.) or afterwards.
Click here to register today. It's fast and easy.
Faithfully yours,
+Fr. George Tsahakis
Chancellor -
Check back next Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.
Every Tuesday at 2:00 p.m., this page is updated to remind clergy of pending requests from Metropolitan Sevastianos and our Metropolis Office. Sometimes, clergy may miss emails, so check this page once per week after Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. to ensure you have not missed an email or important notice asking for your help.