2019 Diocesan Pastoral Conference
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February 18-21, 2019
Saint Mary of Egypt, Lilburn, GA
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Welcome
Dear Brother Priests, Deacons, Matushki, Brothers and Sisters on the Diocesan Council, and Friends,
Christ is in our midst!
We look forward to hosting the 2019 Pastoral Conference at St. Mary of Egypt Church in Metro Atlanta on February 19-21. The Diocesan Council will meet prior to the Conference on Tuesday, February 19.
Diocesan Council Members should arrive at SMOE no later than Monday evening, February 18, and Clergy Conference participants no later than early afternoon on Tuesday, February 19. The Conference will begin with a talk from our speaker at 4 PM on Tuesday, February 19.
Our visiting speaker will be Igumen Chrysostomos Koutloumousianos. Father Chrysostom is a senior brother and hieromonk at the Holy Monastery of Koutloumousios, Mount Athos, Greece. He was born in Athens in 1963. Having read English Literature at the University of Athens (1986), he pursued BA, MA and PhD studies in Theology at the Aristotle University of Thessalonica (1994-2007). He has been a Visiting Fellow at the Royal Holloway, University of London (2011-2014) and a Visiting Research Fellow at Heythrop College, University of London (2016-2017). His research interests focus on Patristics and the spirituality of Christian monasticism. Since 1986 he has lived in the monastery, while occasionally visiting the "world" for lectures or pastoral activities. His published books include:
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God of Mysteries: Celtic Theology in the Light of the Greek East (Mount Athos, 2008) (in Greek).
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Lovers of the Kingdom: the Spirit and Life of Celtic and Byzantine Monasticism (Mount Athos, 2009) (in Greek).
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The One and the Three. Nature, Person and Triadic Monarchy in the Greek and Irish Patristic Tradition (Cambridge: James Clarke, 2015).
Please Register for the Conference Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-diocese-of-the-south-pastoral-conference-tickets-54364392361
Accommodations for the event are at the Gwinnett Place Fairfield Inn & Suites - 3570 Breckenridge Blvd., Duluth GA, 30096. The cost of a suite for the conference is $95.00 per night. Please use this link for room reservations.
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Note: Hotel Reservation Deadline: January 31, 2019
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Amenities include: Complimentary Breakfast, Complimentary Wi-Fi, and Fitness Center
The hotel is approximately 5 miles from the church. A hotel provided shuttle will be scheduled to provide transportation to and from the church. All activities will be held at St. Mary of Egypt Orthodox Church, 925 Beaver Ruin Road, Norcross, GA 30093
Likewise, please feel free to contact me with any questions: frcyprian@gmail.com.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Cyprian (DuRant)
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Schedule
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Monday, February 18:
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Afternoon and Evening: Arrival of Diocesan Council
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Tuesday, February 19:
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Morning and Afternoon: Diocesan Council Meeting (9 AM – 3 PM); lunch provided
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Afternoon: Arrival of clergy for Pastoral Conference (Registration 2 – 4 PM)
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Afternoon: Igumen Chrysostom - Clergy talk (4 PM) - “Nature, Person and Ascesis in the Patristic Tradition.”
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Evening: Vespers (6 PM) followed by Opening Reception (7 PM)
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Wednesday, February 20:
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Morning: Matins (8 AM) followed by provided refreshments
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Morning: Igumen Chrysostom - Clergy talk (10 AM) - “Spiritual Paternity: Therapeutic relationship or manipulation?”
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Afternoon: Lunch (12 – 2 PM) (provided, allowing for ample time for socializing)
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Afternoon: Igumen Chrysostom - Clergy talk (2 – 4 PM) - “Liturgy and Nepsis: the Unity of Spiritual Life”
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Afternoon: Vespers (4 PM) followed by Dinner (on your own)
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Evening: Igumen Chrysostom – Lecture (7 PM) open to public, on topic of “The Way to the True Self in the Orthodox Tradition”
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Thursday, February 21:
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Morning: Pontifical Liturgy (8 AM) followed by provided brunch
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Afternoon: Panel Discussion (12 – 2 PM): Archbishop Alexander, Igumen Chrysostom, Archimandrite Gerasim
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Closing (Travel) Prayers and Departure (2 PM)
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Accomodations
Start date: 2/18/19
End date: 2/23/19
Last day to book: 1/31/19
Marriott hotel(s) offering your special group rate:
· Fairfield Inn & Suites Atlanta Gwinnett Place for 95.00 USD per night
Book your group rate for St. Mary of Egypt Orthodox Church of America
A hotel provided shuttle will be scheduled to provide transport to and from Saint Mary’s
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An Important Note on Transportation
We will not be providing transportation all the way from the airport, but those who choose not to rent a car or use Uber/Lyft to Lilburn can take MARTA to the Doraville station. We will be arranging some local transportation (three trips with vans) on that Tuesday. We may also be able to arrange a trip on Monday, as long as it's no later than 4:00pm.
Anyone who wants to take advantage of this transportation should let us know; they can email either brantley.hobbs@gmail.com or anelen@bellsouth.net
Thank you!
Area attractions
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