Review our Parish COVID-19 Response Here

ATTENTION

Please be aware of an email scam impersonating Fr. Robert Archon

Please note that many parishioners have reported receiving an email from Fr. Bob asking for a favor and soliciting donations in the form of gift cards. These emails are a scam using a fake email account impersonating Fr. Bob. While the “From” name on the account uses his name, it is from an imposter gmail.com account.
Fr. Bob's real email address is frArchon@saintathanasius.org.

Please disregard these email and do not respond to all such messages as they are not from Fr. Bob.

Click here for more information on how to protect yourself from email scams.

Introducing our Virtual Sunday School Program

Dear St. Athanasius Parish Family,

Due to the increasing COVID-19 case numbers, we felt it best for everyone's safety to temporarily postpone all in-person Sunday School classes. Sunday School is an important ministry and we want to ensure that all of our children have an opportunity to continue learning about their faith. To that end, we are overjoyed to announce the start of our Virtual Sunday School Ministry! The development of this virtual format is an ongoing process; we will continue to refine and improve it with each passing week.

How do I register my child for the virtual Sunday School program?

Registration is easy; just click this link HERE!

What should I expect?

Once you register for the Sunday School virtual program, you will be added to its email list, so please be sure to provide an email address you check regularly. Each week, our Sunday School teachers will email a lesson plan and its associated activities, allowing you to create a Sunday School class from the comfort of your home! Additionally, Fr. Bob plans to host a weekly Zoom meeting with all of the children (parents are welcome as well!). We encourage all families to come to these sessions, as fostering a sense of community within the church is an important aspect of all children's spiritual growth and development. These meetings will also provide a platform for the children to have a show-and-tell with the projects they complete at home, to ask Fr. Bob questions, and to go over the lesson and important events in the church calendar!

All weekly lessons and activities will also be posted to the St. Athanasius the Great church Facebook Page, so if you don't already follow our page, click HERE to start! Facebook.com/SaintAthanasiusArlington

What is this week's lesson (our first lesson)?

This time of the year is one of the most joyous in the church calendar as it marks the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, it is easy for our children to lose sight of the meaning of Christmas, instead focusing on gifts, gingerbread house making, and Santa Claus. Therefore, this Sunday's lesson will be on the Nativity Story and the three Wise Men!

Children will begin the lesson by watching an animated, 10-minute video depicting the story of Christ's birth. To begin the Nativity video, please click this link HERE.

For this week's lessson plan and activities, please click this link HERE.

Are there any other activities going on right now?

YES! We have a wonderful opportunity for you to be involved in a Sunday School Kalanda Compilation Video!

One of our most wonderful parish traditions is to sing Christmas carols, including kalanda, following Vesperal Divine Liturgy on Christmas Eve. However, we know that this year is going to be a little different with many families unable to physically attend church given the ongoing pandemic. To make sure that no one misses out on this special tradition, we invite all of our Sunday School families to join in on the making of a Christmas Kalanda Video Compilation!

Each family who signs up will be given one verse to sing from either "Joy to the World" or "Καλην Εσπεραν". An individual child, a group of siblings, friends, or even an entire family can sing the verse; whichever way speaks to you the most. You only need two things to make your music video: a camera (smartphone, laptop, IPad, or tablet works) and a big smile!

All submissions will be compiled into a single video. The final music video will be sent to our St. Athanasius family to spread Christmas cheer, helping us to feel close even when far apart!

To sign up for the Christmas Caroling opportunity, please click this link HERE!

We thank you in advance for all of your patience and cooperation, and look forward to the beginning of the Virtual Sunday School Ministry!

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Robert Archon

George Makredes, Sunday School Director

Click Here for PayPal Link to Donate

Light Your Candle at St. Athanasius

We understand that during this difficult time of the pandemic, it can be difficult to be physically away from your church. While we can pray from home, you may miss the ability to light a candle in church.
Let us light a candle for you at St. Athanasius.

"I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Statements Regarding Hagia Sophia

Click Here to View the Joint Statement of Metropolitan Methodios and Cardinal O'Malley regarding recent events at Hagia Sophia

Click Here to View Encyclical from the Holy Eparchial Synod
Regarding the July 24 Commemorationof Hagia Sophia (in English and Greek)

An Update on the Opening of our Church

From His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios:
If a parish, after careful and deliberate preparation, considers that they are able to meet all of the State and Local guidelines, they may begin to open their doors as early as this coming Sunday, May 24. >>> Continue reading here

Parish Reopening Guidelines Explained Further

COVID-19 Related Notices

A Message from Fr. Anthony - March 28, 2020

Important Clarification from Fr. Anthony - March 23, 2020

A Message from His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios - March 17, 2020

Parish Council Update Regarding COVID-19 - March 13, 2020

Stay Connected

FIND US ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER

Fr. Bob is available 24/7, please feel free to call the Parish Office at (781) 646-0705 to schedule an appt, or if this is of an urgent matter, please feel free to reach Fr. Bob on his cell phone, (603) 498-1685.