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October 26, 2026
To the Reverend Clergy, Parish Councils, and Philoptochos Chapters of the Holy Metropolis of Atlanta
"The elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor..."
(1 Timothy 5:17)
Beloved Fathers, Parish Council Members, and Philoptochos Sisters in Christ,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is with profound gratitude and joy that I write to invite your participation in a special expression of love and support for His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, as he commemorates the 35th anniversary of his election as Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch.
This milestone marks the longest Patriarchal tenure in the history of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Throughout these thirty-five years, His All-Holiness has served the Church with humility, wisdom, courage, and steadfast faithfulness. His leadership has strengthened Orthodox Christian witness throughout the world, advanced inter-Orthodox cooperation, promoted religious freedom, and inspired countless faithful through his pastoral care and visionary ministry.
As we celebrate this historic anniversary, I invite each of the 75 parishes of our Holy Metropolis to join in presenting a collective gift to His All-Holiness in honor of his remarkable ministry. Such a gift will serve as both a heartfelt expression of our love and gratitude and a tangible contribution to the ongoing ministry and witness of the Ecumenical Patriarchate throughout the world.
Recognizing the varying resources among our parishes, I respectfully ask that each community prayerfully consider a contribution of $1,000 to $5,000, according to its means:
- Smaller parishes: $1,000-$2,000
- Medium-sized parishes: $2,500-$3,500
- Larger parishes: $4,000-$5,000
Should individual parishioners, families, benefactors, and especially our devoted Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, wish to contribute in addition to their parish's designated gift, such generosity would enable your parish to exceed these suggested goals and further strengthen our collective expression of love and support for His All-Holiness.
Every gift, regardless of size, will make a meaningful difference. The Ecumenical Patriarchate continues to fulfill its sacred ministries under circumstances that often present significant financial and institutional challenges. The faithful of the Mother Church in Turkey are not positioned to support the Patriarchate in the same manner that we, as Orthodox Christians in America, are blessed to do. Our generosity helps sustain the spiritual, pastoral, educational, environmental, and philanthropic ministries of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and strengthens its witness before the world.
This is a rare and meaningful opportunity to demonstrate our gratitude and devotion to the spiritual leadership of His All-Holiness and to support the sacred ministries of the Mother Church of Constantinople.
As faithful children of the Mother Church, we have been blessed beyond measure through the ministry of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. This anniversary provides a unique opportunity to respond with gratitude for all that His All-Holiness has done for Orthodoxy throughout the world.
Our collective gift will be presented in conjunction with the Patronal Feast of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, the heavenly patron of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, on November 30th.
To facilitate this offering, please make checks payable to Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta and kindly remit your gift to my office as soon as possible. I also ask that you notify my Executive Assistant, Apostolia Chroni, of your parish's intended contribution at achroni@atlanta.goarch.org.
In order for our unified gift to be received in Constantinople in time for the Feast of Saint Andrew, it is essential that all parish contributions be received by my office no later than November 15, 2026.
I thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration and generous participation. Together, let us honor the remarkable and enduring ministry of His All-Holiness, give thanks for his thirty-five years of faithful leadership, and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the sacred mission of the Great Church of Christ.
May our offering be a fitting sign of gratitude for a faithful shepherd whose ministry continues to bless the Orthodox Church and the world.
In the love and service of our Lord
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