Vol. 1, No. 4, September 2022
The Atlanta Inter-Orthodox Parish Association (AIOPA) is a team of clergy and laity representatives from different canonical Orthodox parishes around the Atlanta area. The goal of AIOPA is to foster connections among different parishes and jurisdictions, to develop a strong sense of one local Orthodox Christian Family and, as such, to contribute to the unity of the Orthodox Church in the United States of America as defined by the Assembly of Bishops. AIOPA is a committee of the Atlanta Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood (AOCB), which seeks to bring people the knowledge of the Orthodox Church and to assist those throughout the city of Atlanta who are in need. Both AOCB and AIOPA use www.atlocb.org for communication.
Letter from Fr. Christos Mars, Chairman of AIOPA
Annunciation Greek Cathedral, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOA)
Welcome to another edition of the Orthodox Chronicles! As a year closes and a new one begins, there are many traditions that go along with the New Year. Some of these traditions are old and have withstood the test of time, while others are new and specific to families.
In the Byzantine Empire, and more specifically for the Church, the New Year did not begin on January 1st, as it does in our western culture. It began on September 1st, or the Day of Indiction. You may ask, “Why is September 1st the start of the New Year?” It all begins with the taxation of citizens and the gathering of information. The Roman Emperors, for the maintenance of their armed forces, decreed that their subjects in every district should be taxed every year. This same decree was reissued every fifteen years, since the Roman soldiers were obliged to serve for fifteen years. At the end of each fifteen-year period, an assessment was made of what economic changes had taken place, and a new tax was decreed, which was to be paid over the span of the fifteen years. This imperial decree, which was issued before the season of winter, was named Indictio, that is, Definition or Order. This name was also adopted by the emperors in Constantinople. At other times, the latter also used the term Epinemisis, that is, Distribution (Dianome).
It is commonly held that Saint Constantine the Great introduced the Indiction decrees in 312 A.D., after he beheld the sign of the Cross in heaven and vanquished Maxentius at the battle of Milvian Bridge on October 28, 312 A.D. and was proclaimed Emperor in the West. Some, however (and this seems more likely), ascribe the institution of the Indiction to Augustus Caesar, three years before the birth of Christ. Those who hold this view offer as proof the papal bull issued in 781 A.D. This is dated thus: Anno IV, Indictionis LIII -that is, the fourth year of the fifty-third Indiction. From this, we can deduce the aforementioned year (3 B.C.) by multiplying the fifty-two complete Indictions by the number of years in each (15), and adding the three years of the fifty-third Indiction.
There are three types of Indictions:
That which was introduced in the West, and which is either called Imperial, Caesarean or Constantinian, and which begins on the 24th of September.
The so-called Papal Indiction, which begins on the 1st of January.
The Constantinopolitan, which was adopted by the Patriarchs of that city after the fall of the Eastern Empire in 1453.
This Indiction is indicated in their own hand on the decrees they issue, without the numeration of the fifteen years. This Indiction begins on the 1st of September and is observed with special ceremony in the Church, since the completion of each year takes place, as it were, with the harvest and gathering of the crops into storehouses. We begin anew with the sowing of seed in the earth for the production of future crops, henceforth September is considered the beginning of the New Year. The Church also keeps festival this day, asking God for fair weather, seasonable rains, and an abundance of the fruits of the earth. The Holy Scriptures (Lev. 23:24-5 and Num. 29:1-2) also testify that the people of Israel celebrated the feast of the Blowing of the Trumpets on this day, offering hymns of thanksgiving. In addition to all the aforesaid, on this feast we also commemorate our Savior’s entry into the synagogue in Nazareth, where He was given the book of the Prophet Isaiah to read. He opened it and found the place where it is written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for which cause He hath anointed Me..." (Luke 4:16-30).
It should be noted that in the present day, the Church has always celebrated the beginning of the New Year on September 1. This was the custom in Constantinople until its fall in 1453 and in Russia until the reign of Peter I. September 1 is still festively celebrated as the New Year at the Patriarchate of Constantinople. The Jews also celebrate the New Year, although based according to a moveable calendar, usually falling in September. Our services for January 1st are NOT that of the new year but rather we celebrate our Lord's Circumcision and for the memorial of Saint Basil the Great, without any mention of its being the beginning of a new year.
Therefore, as we begin a New Year in the life of the Church, let us also begin anew in coming closer to Christ, His holy Church, and His heavenly Kingdom. Let us continue to pray for AIOPA as we come together in His Name, and may Christ continue to bless us always!
AIOPA updates
On August 8, Fr. Anthony Salzman and Florian Ion met with Nick Anton (Assembly of Bishops’ Director of Operations) and with Protodeacon Peter Danilchick (member of the AoB secretariat and the liaison of the Committee for Canonical Regional Planning). The dialog centered on ways to increase AoB’s role in fostering the creation and growth of inter-orthodox parish associations nationwide, by offering a common framework and logistical support.
AIOPA had its regular monthly meeting on August 9 and discussed progress made in the workgroups as well as past and upcoming events. A more detailed summary can be found here.
On August 12, Fr. Anthony Salzman and Florian Ion met online with Fr. Paul Hodge, president of MEOCCA. The dialog was centered on sharing best practices on inter-orthodox activities happening in Minneapolis - St. Paul and Atlanta. One of the most significant pan-orthodox activities that MEOCCA runs is a 12-week catechism series available simultaneously online and in-person. MEOCCA (Minnesota Eastern Orthodox Christian Clergy Association) is an association of local Orthodox clergy and Church leaders, which provides a forum for coming together socially and liturgically to symbolize the sacramental and theological unity of the various Orthodox jurisdictions beneath their episcopal divisions.
The Hierarchs’ blessings, guidance and support are critical to maintaining the momentum for the AIOPA work. His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel of ROEA/OCA, gave his blessing to send the link to "A Declaration for Orthodox Christian Unity in America". He was the first to sign the document and asks that you consider signing it and sharing it with your parish. We are looking forward to expanding and maintaining the direct dialog between parish representatives and their respective Hierarchs for all parishes participating in the AIOPA effort.
We have continued featuring our clergy in The Clergy Spotlights, sharing a little bit about where they came from, their journey in becoming a priest, hobbies and family. We now have six spotlights and are looking forward to receiving more from our clergy.
Past Events
The St. Elias Centennial Celebration was held August 20-21, and attended by His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, Bishop Nicholas, all the local Atlanta priests of the Antiochian diocese, visiting pastors from St. James (Buford), St. Stephens (Hiram), and the Church of the Advent (Atlanta), and laity. Highlights of the celebration included a blessing of the new altar and icons in the church, a hierarchical Divine Liturgy, and His Eminence meeting with the priests, the parish council, the Antiochian Women, the Sunday school and the young adults. You can read more here.
The week of August 21-27, The Diakonia Center in Salem, NC hosted the Liturgical Arts Academy, a week-long immersion program of worship and instruction in Byzantine chant and iconography. The Liturgical Arts Academy teaches church leaders and artists the traditional skills and knowledge of Byzantine chant, iconography and other liturgical arts amidst a new culture, a new language and to a new generation of Orthodox Christians in the United States.
The Academy was attended by members from St. Christopher’s (Peachtree City) and Annunciation Cathedral (Atlanta).
Charity Opportunities
Volunteers and Donations Needed for Loaves and Fishes
The Loaves and Fishes program is a pan Orthodox outreach that started in the late 1980’s by Father Jacob Myers of blessed memory. Serving out of the St. John the Wonderworker Parish, today the program is still working diligently to serve a warm meal every Monday through Friday to roughly 40 homeless and needy individuals as well as providing a bagged meal to-go.
Food and monetary donations as well as volunteers allow this program to continue its outreach. Please consider getting involved by becoming a regular donor or offering the gift of your time. Specifically, donations of socks and ponchos are requested.
For more information or to make a donation, you can visit our website.
September 1-30 | Soles4Souls Drive | Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Orthodox Church. 3074 Bethelview Rd. Cumming, GA 30040 Sts. Raphael, Nicholas & Irene will be doing another shoe drive for our Charity Work Group. Over the month of September 2022, we will be collecting your gently used shoes. If your parish community would like to participate with us, please register at https://soles4souls.org/shoe-drive-registration/
Register – choose a pre-designed drive
Collect – A Soles4Souls representative will provide all of the resources you need to invite people to participate & maximize your impact
Deliver – Box up your shoes and deliver or ship them to one of the Soles4Souls warehouses. It’s simple and free
We need to know when folks sign up with Soles4Souls so we can keep track of who is participating and how the fundraiser goes.
Upcoming events
September 11 | Inaugural Pan-Orthodox Cross Dive | Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church. 859 First Street, GA 31201. We are thrilled to warmly invite you and your parish to join us in Macon for a special Inaugural Pan-Orthodox Cross Dive on Sunday, September 11th here in Central Georgia, conveniently just an hour south of Atlanta! As a church of the Holy Cross, we are excited to finally bring this traditional event to Macon and to host our Orthodox brothers and sisters in Christ.
DIVER PARTICIPANTS:
Orthodox or catechumen high school males and females
Divers need to bring bathing suit, towel, and change of clothes; event t-shirt to be gifted to divers (Please follow the Metropolis dress code for swimwear)
Divers must register by September 1st
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Hierarchical Orthros (8:45am) & Divine Liturgy (10:00am) at Holy Cross (859 First Street; Macon, Georgia 31201), followed by prayer and remembrance for victims of 9/11
Coffee & Light Snack to go after Divine Liturgy for the drive to Sandy Beach at Lake Tobesofkee. Estimated time of departure to the lake is 12:30pm.
Blessing and Cross Dive at Sandy Beach Park (6880 Moseley Dixon Road; Macon, Georgia 31220)
BBQ, games, beach, playground, fellowship immediately following dive
Scan QR code or visit website to register:
September 11 | Back to Church Sunday | Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Orthodox Church. 3074 Bethelview Rd. Cumming, GA 30040. STS. RNI Greek Orthodox Church would like to invite you to attend our special Back to Church Sunday service at 10:00 am. Following the service, participate in one of the spotlighted ministry workshops. Free childcare provided! After the workshops, enjoy a free will luncheon and learn about our plans to grow our community in Forsyth County!e. More information can be found here.
September 12 | St. Philothea Golf Classic | 8:00 AM—8:00 PM. The Georgia Club. 1050 Chancellors DriveStatham, GA, 30666. St. Philothea is sponsoring the a golf tournament which will benefit Bread for Life. Bread for Life offers service industry hands-on training, professional instruction and community support to individuals needing a second chance and who desire to improve their lives through development of transferable skills leading to successful careers in the hospitality industry. This golf tournament is their primary fundraiser this year. We need your help and participation. Hole sign donations, door prize donations and tournament players are all areas where you can be a part of this important ministry. Register here.
September 23-25 | Atlanta Greek Festival | Cathedral of the Annunciation. 2500 Clairmont Road, Atlanta 30329. The Atlanta Greek Festival is excited to be returning in-person for the festival. Join us for your favorite Greek food, dancing, and shopping. Volunteers appreciated and a link will be provided soon. Portions of the proceeds from the 2022 Atlanta Greek Festival will be donated to the Center for the Visually Impaired and Kate’s Club along with our Cathedral’s Philoptochos (Friends of those in need) Society, International Orthodox Christian Charities, and the Diakonia Retreat Center. More information here.
September 30 - October 2 | Connect Conference | 161 Ted Turner Drive Northwest Atlanta, GA, 30303. The Connect Conference is for Orthodox young adults in their 20s and 30s. Through learning, fellowship, and worship, the goal of the conference is to better connect us to our faith, the Church, and each other. The format of the conference includes keynote addresses to the group, breakout sessions in smaller groups with time for Q&A, worship times including the Divine Liturgy, and plenty of opportunities for fellowship.
October 14-16 | Cumming Greek Festival | Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Orthodox Church. 3074 Bethelview Rd. Cumming, GA 30040. We’re back and better than ever! With free on-site parking, a new festival layout, expanded hours, and updated dining service offerings, we hope you’ll come dance, eat, and shout “Opa!” with us once again on our 16-acre property off Bethelview Road in Cumming GA. The Cumming Greek Festival is Forsyth County’s largest ethnic event, and we are excited to celebrate with you once again on October 14, 15, and 16, 2022. Join us for a unique opportunity to experience the rich Greek culture. We’ll once again have continuous live entertainment, including traditional bouzouki and other live music, and energetic performances from our very own Greek dance troupe!
Once again, let the familiar scents of oregano and garlic, and the luxurious fragrance of coffee and cinnamon take you back to a simpler, tastier place. Our cooks know the secrets to fine Greek cuisine and with all food items available continuously during the festival hours you can take this trip as often as you’d like. Sit and enjoy your meal at our COVID-safe, individual family dining tents and tables.
After you’ve taken in the fine Greek cuisine, make sure to visit our on-site vendor village and enjoy doing some shopping. You’ll be able to find a variety of fun and whimsical items – authentic Greek sailor hats, clothing, ceramics, books, icons, jewelry, gold, and handcrafted wares! They’re in a new spot this year, so don’t miss them!
There’s fun for the whole family here at the Cumming Greek Festival! Not only is there singing, dancing, and shopping, there’s also a place for the kids to enjoy themselves.
If you’re just passing through and can’t stay to eat, drink, and shop, we’re also pleased to offer our fabulous drive-thru service. Whether you check out our menu early or make your decisions on-site, you’ll order when you arrive, and we’ll bring your delicious Greek food and drinks directly to your car!
The Cumming Greek Festival brings all the magic of Greece right to your backyard! Details here.
“In His High Priestly Prayer to His Father, Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ prayed for His disciples, the members of the Church that He established … “that they all may be one; as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that You have sent Me” (John 17:21).”