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September 1, 2016Dear Clergy and Faithful of the Metropolis of Atlanta,
On this first day of the new ecclesiastical year, we thank our Lord and Creator for His blessings and providential care to each of us. Uniting our faith in Him, along with His strength and mercy, His Holy Spirit guides us to overcome whatever obstacle(s) we encounter each day. He leads us to work together and put our hope and trust in Him. On behalf of His Eminence, Metropolitan Alexios, who is in Constantinople, meeting with the Patriarchal Synod, I write to all our clergy and faithful of our God-protected Metropolis to join together to ask His protection and mercy as Hurricane Hermine touches land in Florida and works its way up the Atlantic coastline.
In closing, I wanted to share that I had the privilege of joining almost all of our Tampa Bay Conference clergy in praying the Paraklesis Service at our beloved St. Nicholas Cathedral in Tarpon Springs, on Sunday night and sharing dining and fellowship afterwards. On Monday, I was blessed to join its Vicar, Fr. James Rousakis and our Metropolis President, Dee Nicolaou, and visit area retired clergy. What I saw were dedicated brother clergy and sisters in Christ, and while the weather was so pleasant the first of the week, now this same group of dedicated clergy will lead their parishes as they “confront the storm.” Certainly, the coastal clergy will follow suit, but tonight, I call to mind the extra burdens upon our parishes effected and ask those of us who are safe to share our prayers and seek ways even now to comfort and support those in harm’s way.
“O Lord, Who blesses those who bless You and sanctifies those who put their trust in You, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Protect the whole body of Your Church. Sanctify those who love the beauty of Your house. Glorify them in return by Your divine power, and forsake us not who have set our hope in You. Grant peace to Your world, to Your churches, to the clergy, to our civic leaders, to the armed forces, and to all Your people. For every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from You, the Father of lights. To You we give glory, thanksgiving, and worship, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.”
Faithfully yours,
+Fr. George Tsahakis
