| | Saint Philothea Greek Orthodox Church | | | |
WE WELCOME
HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN SEVASTIANOS and VISITING PRIEST FROM GREECE, FATHER ALEXIOS
It is our joy to celebrate the Divine Liturgy with our Spiritual Father of our holy Metropolis of Atlanta. He will join us for lunch and meet with our Parish Council and Expansion Committee. Please pray for this gathering and guidance for our expansion.
WEATHER PERMITTING
We urge everyone to stay safe as we monitor this winter storm. God willing we can gather on Sunday but if the conditions are bad, we will cancel; or, only a small group will gather and we will live stream for those at home. We will send you a notification via email in the event of cancellation. Please check your email for updates.
TONSURING TODAY
Wesley Moses Arp, Dylan Joseph Long, and Isaiah Romanos will be tonsured as Readers by His Eminence Metropolitan Sevastianos.
WEDDING TODAY
Caleb and Veronica Gabriella Welch invite you to their sacrament of holy matrimony today at 1:30 pm at the church. (weather permitting)
FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD IN THE TEMPLE
Feb 2 Divine Liturgy at 8:00 am for the Presentation of the Infant Jesus to the Temple. This is when the Messiah was held in the arms of St. Symeon, who recognizes Him as Lord, and offers the beautiful prayer of salvation.
1st WEEK OF TRIODION - No Fasting this week
SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY IS FEB 8
Plan to contribute non-perishable food items for ACTS and monetary donations for IOCC on this day. Visit: Souper Bowl of Caring
LENT begins Feb 23
Forgiveness Vespers on Sunday Feb 22 at 6:00 pm
Canon of St Andrew on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Feb 23,24, 26 at 6:00 pm
Full Canon of St. Andrew on Thursday March 26 at 6:00 pm
Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts - Every Wednesday of Lent at 5:30 pm
Lenten Dinner & Book Study - Wednesdays of Lent after church
Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos on the first five Fridays of Lent at 6:00 pm
LENTEN BOOK STUDY
We will be reading and discussing "The Crucifixion of the King of Glory" by Dr. Eugenia Constantinou on Wednesday evenings of Lent.
HELPING HANDS FOR MOVING FAMILIES
New date for the Wilsons; please contact them if you can help.
Daniel and Brandi Wilson + 5 kids
FEB 7 moving from Mansfield to Statham, call 678-538-8901
SAINT PHILOTHEA NAMEDAY
Vespers and Dinner Reception Wednesday, Feb 18. Then Matins/Divine Liturgy on Thursday morning Feb 19 at 7:30/8:30 AM. Save the date for this special celebration. Come to the Greek Dancing Lessons on Jan 27 and Feb 11 to hone your skills. see flyer below.
OCF CHEW & CHAT 2026 HOSTING SIGN UP
2026 Schedule is now available SIGN UP HERE to host
CHEW & CHAT Dates: Feb 3, Feb 17*pending, Mar 17, Mar 31, Apr 14
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
is postponed one week to Feb 25 at 7:00 PM
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UPCOMING AIOPA EVENTS
Atlanta Inter-Orthodox Parish Association
| | 3 OCF LECTURES in Atlanta - Scan the QR Code for details | | | | |
Orthodox Christian Stewardship…
As Stewards, we affirm that every aspect of our lives comes as a gift from Him.
Stewardship calls on the faithful to cheerfully offer back to God a portion of the gifts which they have been blessed.
| | Please remember to turn in your 2026 Stewardship Pledge Card | | THE COUNCIL OF MINISTRIES | | |
ST OLYMPIA SISTERHOOD FELLOWSHIP
Next gathering date is February 19. All women of the parish are invited to come for refreshment and fellowship. Call Presvytera to be added to the GroupMe. 706-340-6366
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP
Feb 2 at 7:00 pm at church. You can obtain your discussion book, “Memory Eternal” from the church bookstore.
ACTS FOOD BANK **FIRST Tuesday every other month
February 3, 9:00 to 1:00 pm to stock shelves at the Area Churches Together Serving food bank of Oconee County. 130 E Thompson St, Bogart **Come-and-Help
SPAGHETTI DINNER
Thursday Feb 12, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
OCF CHEW & CHAT DINNERS - SIGN UP
2026 Schedule: Consider sponsoring dinner for the college students on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month - Feb 3, Feb 17*pending, Mar 17, Mar 31, Apr 14. We are a big group this year and we encourage co-hosting with other families. See SIGN UP DATES HERE
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BIGGER VISION DINNERS **4th Monday- NEXT: February 23rd.
Currently we will need a protein, a starch and vegetables as well as volunteers to serve. Thank you all who serve on this ministry. To learn more about it go to our BV webpage ...and... Join the BV GroupMe.
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INQUIRER'S CLASS
This is open to those who want to learn more about the Orthodox Church. Please email prchristine@ilicons.us to join. Upcoming dates: Feb 11 Printable Schedule Here
CHOIR & YOUTH CHOIR
New voices welcomed.
BOOKSTORE & LENDING LIBRARY
are in need of volunteers to keep up these ministries. See Regina if you would like to offer your talents in these areas. View our library holdings here
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AGAPE MEAL TEAMS UPDATE
Updated November 2025
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If you would like to be added or removed from a team, please text Presvytera at 706-340-6366. Remember...you are not required to be on a team, and everyone is welcome to stay and eat whether on a team or not. This is an AGAPE meal! Read More: CLICK HERE.
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VIEW THE COUNCIL of MINISTRIES CHART here
Don't see your name on the Chart? Contact Presvytera Christine to be added.
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GOA YOUTH SAFETY RENEWAL
Policy requires that youth workers in the GOA screen every 2 years, train and acknowledge the Code of Conduct every year. Click YOUTHSAFETYPLATFORM to check your status on your VIRTUS account.
CROSSROAD SUMMER INSTITUTE
is a 10-day program for Orthodox Christian high school juniors and seniors ready to explore identity, faith, and purpose. Step away from the noise of everyday life and join other Orthodox youth, mentors, and theologians in one of these beautiful settings. REGISTER HERE by January 20. (2nd deadline is Feb 20)
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JOIN THE ONLINE PRAYER GROUP
to post prayer needs and to be a prayer warrior. To join send your email address to rose@lieffring.com. You will receive emails when someone posts a prayer request or you can post to st-philothea-prayer-group@googlegroups.com
A WORD ABOUT CHURCH SEATING - please...
- Leave the front row for people with special needs
- Leave the back 2 rows, right and left, for families with children
- Fill in all the rows by moving in towards the center aisle so we can better accommodate the larger number of people. Let's aim for 5 person per row.
- ...and thank you!
CEMETARY PLOTS
St. Philothea has a section in the Oconee Memorial Park in Watkinsville. Burial Plots can be purchased at our special group price. Please see the flyer at the bottom of this email. It is tradition for the priest to visit the graves throughout the year for prayers.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE ORTHODOX OBSERVER
News from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. OrthodoxObserver.org
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WE COMMEMORATE:
Forefeast of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple, Trypho the Martyr, Perpetua & her Companions, Our Holy Father Basil, Archbishop of Thessolonica, Anastasios the New Martyr of Navplion, The Four Martyrs Andrianus, Polyeuktos, Plato and George who contested in Megara, Timothy the Confessor , Bridget of Ireland
Resurrectional Apolytikion Mode 1
The stone having been sealed by the Pharisees and chief priests, * and Your all-immaculate body being guarded by soldiers, * You rose on the third day, O Lord and Savior, granting life unto the world. * Then the powers of the heavens cried out to You, O Giver of Life, and shouted, * “Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ! * Glory to Your eternal rule! * Glory to Your plan for saving us, only benevolent God!”
Entrance Hymn Mode 2
Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. Save us, O Son of God, risen from the dead. We sing to You, Alleluia.
For the Forefeast Mode 1
The choir of heaven’s hosts, from the vaults of the heavens, * bends forward to the earth and beholds as an infant * the first-born of all creation being carried in the embrace * of His holy virgin Mother unto the Temple. * And with us they sign today a fore-festal anthem, * in awe and astonishment.
For the Martyr Mode 4
Your Martyr, O Lord, was worthily awarded by You * the crown of incorruption, in that he contested for You our immortal God. * Since he possessed Your power, he defeated the tyrants, * dashing the demons’ powerless displays of defiance. * O Christ God, at his fervent entreaties, save our souls.
Kontakion Mode 4
With our hearts instead of arms * today, believers, * with most pure and righteous thoughts * let us receive in our embrace * the Lord and Master who comes to us, * and let us offer our fore-festal hymns of praise.
Hymn to the Theotokos Mode pl. 4
It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.
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ST. PHILOTHEA APOLYTIKION MODE 4
The famed city of Athens does honor Philothea, the righteous martyr whose relics it now revers with joy. For while living in sobriety and holiness she has exchanged all earthly things for the everlasting life through great contest as a martyr. And she entreateth the Savior to grant His mercy unto us.
| | St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 8:28-39 | | |
Prokeimenon. Mode 4
Psalm 15.3,8
Among the saints who are in his land, the Lord has been wondrous.
Verse: I see the Lord before me continually.
Brethren, we know that everything works for good with those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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Gospel Reading According to Luke 18:10-14
| | The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." | |
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