On Sunday, March 5^th 2017, the local Orthodox clergymen of Atlanta gathered at Holy Annunciation Greek Cathedral with their parishioners to celebrate the "Triumph of Orthodoxy"-- commemorating the victory over Iconoclasm and the restoration of the veneration of icons.

Sunday Vespers were officiated by His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, along with the priests from many jurisdictions including the Greek Orthodox Church, the Russian Orthodox Church, the Romanian Orthodox Church, the Orthodox Church of America, the Antiohian Orthodox Church, and the Serbian Orthodox Church.

The guest speaker was Fr. John Toloumes priest from Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Pittsburgh, PA, president of the Greek Archdiocesan Presbyters Council.

Fr. John spoke of the importance of holy icons, and reminded the faithful present about how Orthodox interact with them prayerfully. He emphasized that Orthodox Christians do not worship icons in home or at church - they venerate them.

He also reminded the faithful that, in many ways, icons in the early days of the Church were a way of illustrating the events of the Gospel even to those who could not read.

Following the Vespers service, parishioners of the host Greek Cathedral prepared a delicious Lenten dinner for all those in attendance, allowing for continued fellowship.

Article by Fr. Miladin Blagojevic