Metropolitan Sevastianos Visits Winston-Salem Church
The Metropolitan conducted a three-day archpastoral visit to the local Greek Orthodox community.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Awards
Metropolitan Sevastianos of Atlanta recently concluded a three-day archpastoral visit to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Winston-Salem. During his stay, the Metropolitan met with local clergy and parishioners before presiding over the Divine Liturgy.
Why it matters
The visit provided an opportunity for the Metropolitan to connect directly with the local faithful and observe the ongoing life of the parish. These official archpastoral visits help strengthen ties between local congregations and the wider church administration.
The archpastoral visit spanned a three-day period at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. The visit included a stop at the Panagia Pammakaristos Monastery and the dedication of the Jane Kotsionis-funded Agape Playground.
The players
Metropolitan Sevastianos
He serves as the Metropolitan of Atlanta and provides spiritual and administrative oversight to the Greek Orthodox Church in the region.
Fr. Vasileios Riley
He is a member of the local clergy who received the ecclesiastical offikion of Confessor during the visit.
Petros Coords
He is a member of the church who was appointed to the ecclesiastical office of Reader.
The details
During his visit, Metropolitan Sevastianos bestowed the ecclesiastical offikion of Confessor upon Fr. Vasileios Riley and the office of Reader upon Petros Coords. He also engaged in meetings with parish leadership and community members to discuss church initiatives.
Timeline
October 2026 marked the duration of the three-day archpastoral visit.
Culture Shift
The visit adheres to the formal administrative framework defined by the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta archpastoral visit protocols. This practice maintains institutional continuity within local parishes while fostering direct engagement with regional leadership.
The visit resulted in new ecclesiastical appointments and the recognition of local community contributions. Parishioners may see these changes reflected in the ongoing liturgical and administrative operations at the church.
The takeaway
The visit highlights the importance of institutional oversight in maintaining parish community bonds. Local congregations benefit from these formal interactions through clarified leadership roles and the dedication of new facilities like the Agape Playground.
Further reading
For more information on local recognitions and church activities, see the Awards section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The National Herald.
