Greek Orthodox Mission of PTC gets a new name

The summer months brought a new name to the Greek Orthodox Mission of Peachtree City — the name of St. Christopher Hellenic Orthodox Church. Its diocesan spiritual leader, His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, officially named the parish after the third-century Christian martyr, St. Christopher.

The church is the first Hellenic Orthodox parish in the United States dedicated to St. Christopher’s memory.

The parish also received an unexpected gift of $100,000 in honor of the occasion by Charles Masterpolis of Savannah whose father was named Christopher. The funds will be used to purchase property and build a permanent church complex.

In addition, Fr. George Tsahakis, chancellor of the Metropolis (diocese) of Atlanta and pastor of St. Christopher’s, recently announced the selection of two parishioners, Pat MacDougall of Peachtree City and Frank Tagalos of Fayetteville, as the 2005 parish honorees for the upcoming diocesan “Archangel Michael Feast and Honors Program.” Each year two parishioners are selected by Tsahakis and other parishioners to join the diocesan family in Atlanta on the weekend of, prior to, or following, the Feast of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel on Nov. 8. The purpose of the program is to honor and celebrate the diocese’s patron saint and the lives of one adult and one youth from each parish, who are the living examples of the Orthodox Christian life.

In another noteworthy summer event, local artist and parishioner Helen Hayes of Newnan, who recently celebrated her 90th birthday, presented St. Christopher Hellenic Orthodox Church’s building fund with a surprise gift — one dollar for each of her 90 years — following Sunday church services. Hayes’ daughter, Gail Ericsson of Newnan, joined her in offering a special reception to the parish family.