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October 3, 2024
To the Reverend Clergy & the Esteemed Parish Council Presidents of the Metropolis of Atlanta:
My Beloved Ones,
‘Truly I tell you,
just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,
you did it to me”
(Matthew 25:40)
I greet you with love in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
It has been nearly a week since Hurricane Helene left great devastation across our nation, much of it falling within the boundaries of our Holy and God-Protected Metropolis of Atlanta. Though I am in Greece, I hope you know that I have all our affected communities in my thoughts and prayers. I am grateful to my Metropolis coworkers for keeping me updated on the extent of the damage, just as I am thankful to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, both for contacting me and expressing love & support, and for His calls to our Clergy in affected parishes, as well.
My Brothers and Sisters, I am pleased to inform you of the Metropolis of Atlanta's efforts to address the current crisis. Understanding the extent of the damage--from Tampa Bay, to the Carolinas--it seems only proper to "cast a wide net" with options as well.
First, let us begin with our beloved Metropolis Philoptochos Board. The Metropolis Philoptochos will follow the steps it instituted after Hurricane Ian in 2022, when the Philoptochos Philanthropy Co-Chairs, Presvytera Evi Kaplanis & Tina Chagaris established the following process:
To refer a Greek Orthodox parishioner in need, please use the attached referral form (click here). This will assist the Metropolis Philoptochos Board in allocating funds & resources to specific Orthodox Christian families and/or individuals, based on the greatest need. To that end, your Metropolis asks that you please forward all such requests directly to Philoptochos by emailing Eviskaplanis@aol.com & Chagaristina@gmail.com. Presvytera Evi & Tina will then directly work with the affected families and individuals.
I also commend our Metropolis Philoptochos Board President, Irene Politis, for leading our Metropolis's fundraising effort to meet the needs of the affected faithful. While our Philoptochos Chapter Presidents are being notified separately, I appeal to our parishioners to support our relief efforts, either by donating to your parish Philoptochos Chapter, or by sending your gift to the Hurricane Helene Relief Fund:
Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos
c/o Martha Driscoll
1228 Sherlock Drive
Marietta, GA 30066
Fathers, I ask that you please forward this specific email to your local Philoptochos chapter President, so that they are able to work together most efficiently with our Metropolis Philoptochos Board.
Of course, as a Metropolis, we should also give due credit to the work of International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) who have established a Hurricane Helene response page (for more information, click here).
Beyond these two worthy Orthodox Christian organizations, however, I ask also to consider assisting our non-Orthodox brothers and sisters as well, and to that end, here are links to a number of worthy organizations undertaking charitable assistance, such as the American Red Cross, or Samaritan's Purse.
To ensure that these efforts are helped by the greatest numbers of hands and hearts, I also ask you Fathers, to please read this message in your sanctuaries this coming Sunday as well.
My beloved ones, the extent of the storm damage, including the loss of lives, homes, and livelihoods is still only being uncovered across much of our Southeastern United States--particularly in communities that are not used to these kinds of storms. As our region continues to heal, physically and spiritually, I pray that those of us in the Metropolis who are in a position to help their brothers, sisters, and neighbors, will look deep into their hearts, recalling our Lord's words to assist our fellow man. I remain,
Paternally yours with blessings and love in the Lord,
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