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St. Demetrios Church
Publish Date: 2025-05-11
Bulletin Contents
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Parish Announcements
Saints and Feasts
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

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St. Demetrios Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (440) 331-2246
  • Fax:
  • (440) 331-8407
  • Street Address:

  • 22909 Center Ridge Road

  • Rocky River, OH 44116
  • Mailing Address:

  • 22909 Center Ridge Road

  • Rocky River, OH 44116

Contact Information

Priest Fr. Andy Lentz


[email protected] | 440-331-2246 x1

Office Manager Eleni Papouras-Jenks


[email protected] | 440-331-2246 x2

Operations Manager Byron T. Spooner


[email protected] | 440-331-2246 x3

Services Schedule

Sundays 8:30 a.m. Orthros and 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy

Special weekday feastday services to be announced in the bulletin.

Past Bulletins


Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Third Mode. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 9:32-42.

In those days, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Paralytic
The Reading is from John 5:1-15

At that time, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water; whoever stepped in first after the troubling of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked.

Now that day was the sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet." But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, 'Take up your pallet, and walk.' "They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your pallet, and walk'?" Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you." The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.

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Parish Announcements

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

SUNDAY

5/11

8:20; 9:30 a.m.

11:30 a.m.

Orthros; Divine Liturgy

Aeraki Dance practice

MONDAY

5/12

9:00 a.m.

5:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Making green beans

Kyklonas dance (hall)

Kymata dance (gym) / Movie Monday

Philoptochos meeting

TUESDAY

5/13

9:00 a.m.

4:30 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

Making green beans

Philoptochos serving @ St Herman’s

Greek School

WEDNESDAY

5/14

10:30 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Bible Study

Kymata dance practice

Daughters of Penelope meeting [@ Taki’s]

THURSDAY

5/15

10:30 a.m.

5:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Prayer Group

Greek School

Kyklonas Dancers

Choir

 


MOTHER'S DAY

God bless our moms, yiayias, thias, nonnas and mother-figures.

         Thanks to Nick Kariotakis for again offering the carnations.


MEMORIALS

5 years for Paul Diamantis, husband of Helen, father of Georgia and Taki.

Next week: Rena Kachevas; Popi Kalis


FELLOWSHIP CUP

Thanks to the Sterea Hellas Foundation of Cleveland for hosting the coffee hour on Mother's Day! 

 See Sign-up Genius on church’s Facebook group to sign up for May 25 or a summer Sunday.


FESTIVAL PREPARATIONS

  Our Greek Festival will take place June 19-22.

Cooking:  May 12-13: Green Beans, beginning at 9 a.m. daily

                   May 19-20: Galaktoboureko, beginning at 9 a.m. daily

Pricing for the Festival Ad book: 

$750 for full page inside front & back covers

$650 for full pages left and right of center

$500 for full page

$300 for half page

$200 for quarter page

Look for contract forms in the office or email [email protected] for more information. Deadline for submission: May 30, 2025


HELLENIC DANCE

No new dancers can register after May 15.

~Aeraki Dancers (ages 6-8)  Sundays 11:30am to 12:30pm. in the gym.

~Kymata Dancers (ages 9-12) Mondays and Wednesdays,  6 pm - 7:15pm , in the gym, thru May.

~Kyklonas Dancers (ages 13 & up) in the hall.  5:00 p.m. on Wed, May  28 &

Mondays, May 12 & 19, and 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays, May 15, 22, 29


MOVIE MONDAY

Come see classic & modern films, as we explore the Beatitudes. 

May 12, 6:00 p.m.  Joan of Arc : Part II  (1999; 90 minutes; Rated PG) “Blessed are the pure of heart,  for they shall see God”  A peasant girl heeds heavenly visions and leads French troops to victory, but is then put on trial for heresy by political enemies. St. Joan is the patron saint of France and the Catholic Church celebrates her feastday this month.  Free and open to all. Refreshments will be served.

 


FRIENDS OF THE POOR

SERVING DINNER AT ST. HERMAN’S Volunteer to feed the homeless with your parish family:

~FOCUS Friends next service date: Sat.,  June 7 Contact Christina Trillis (440) 665-1494

~Philoptochos next service date:  Tue., May 13    Contact Joanne Harootunian (440) 353-0910


DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE

Wed., May 14, dinner meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Taki’s  Greek Kitchen,  377 Lear Road, Avon Lake. Enjoy delicious Greek food as we plan next season’s events! RSVP to Eleni (216-965-8131) by May 11.


CLASS OF 2025

High School, College and Post-grads, we want to honor you in the June issue of  The Epistle! Please submit photo, school name, clubs, activities, etc., degree obtained, and any future plans, to Eleni at [email protected]  by May 15th.


BUILDING A BETTER RESUME

Wed., May 28, 7:00-9:00 p.m. in St. Demetrios Board Room. Instructor Gus Blavos invites recent graduates and job hunters of any age to attend a free Master Class on creating a resume that will stand out to potential employers. No cost to attend, but registration required to ensure materials.  RSVP to [email protected]


BOOK & BIBLE STUDY

Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. in the Parish Library.  All welcome to join us.


PRAYER GROUP

Thursdays at 10:30  a.m. in St Philothei Chapel. Contact Diakonissa Amy ([email protected] or 330-519-3100) to join, or to submit names for whom we can pray.

 


PARISH PICKLEBALL

Wednesdays in the Zapis Activity Center, 9-11 a.m.


PARISH MISSION TRIP

July 12-18, join our parish to serve at the Blackfeet Nation in Browning, Montana. Contact Jake Trotter ([email protected]) for more info.


EVENTS ELSEWHERE

STELIOS The new film about the life of iconic Greek-Pontian singer Stelios Kazantzidis is opening this weekend at the Movie Theater In North Canton, Ohio | Cinemark Bistro North Canton  Follow link for Ticket prices and times. It is in Greek with English subtitles. 

 

ST. KYRANNA COOKING CLASS Sat., May 10, at Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral, 3352 Mayfield Road, Cleveland Heights. 5:00 p.m. Great Vespers,  immediately followed by Perry Zohos teaching us about "Constantinople Cuisine."  Participants (ages 21-35)  welcome to bring a bottle of wine and their favorite board game. RSVP by Monday, May 5th:  [email protected]

 

GYRO DRIVE-THRU May 16-17, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. St. Nicholas Church, 2000 Tower Blvd., Lorain. 

 

CRETAN DANCING  May 16-18, in Akron. Dance workshops for all age groups; Dinner dance to follow.  Info and registration (by May 15) at https://form.jotform.com/250637970629164

 

PAN-ORTHODOX LUNCHEON Sat., May 17, at Holy Trinity Church Hall, 6822 Broadview Rd., Parma. Doors open at noon; lunch at 12:30 p.m.; auction gift baskets and door prizes. RSVP by May 9th, to Irene Georgantas (216-772-2847.) No tickets at the door. $15/adult; $7.50 for children 6-12; children under 6 are free. To benefit Eastern Orthodox Women’s Guild & Orthodox ministries.

 

I.O.C.C. ANNUAL BANQUET Mon., May 19, at St. Michael’s Woodside, 5025 E. Mill Rd., Broadview Hts. Doors open at 6 p.m. Dinner at 7 p.m. Learn how your support helps the International Orthodox Christian Charities humanitarian needs around the world. $70/person tickets at iocc.org/Cleveland   RSVP by May 5th.

 

STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN FEASTDAY All Cleveland faithful invited to Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3352 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Heights.

Tuesday, May 20 – 7:00 p.m. Vespers. Refreshments to follow.

Wednesday, May 21 – 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy. Luncheon to follow. Call 216-932-3300 for tickets.

 

TREMONT GREEK FEST May 23-26 at Annunciation Church, 2187 W. 14th St., Cleveland.

Friday, Saturday & Sunday: Noon-Midnight;   Monday: Noon -8 p.m. Free admission & parking.

 

WONDERFULLY MADE Sat., June 7, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 220 N. Walnut St., Youngstown. Metropolis of Pittsburgh invites all youth and young adults with disabilities and their families to a welcoming retreat. 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy; 11 a.m. Snack & ice breaker; 11:30 a.m. Session 1; 11:45 a.m. Parent Session; Noon, Music & movement; 12:15 p.m. Session 2; 1 p.m. Lunch; 1:45 p.m. Session 3; 2:15 p.m. music and closing prayer. There is no expectation for participants to take part in every session, based on differing needs and abilities. Quiet space will be available. For more info, contact Alyssa Kyritsis ([email protected])

CAMP NAZARETH The Metropolis of Pittsburgh’s summer camp program in Mercer, PA. Registration: y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org/summercamp  St. Demetrios Members in Good Standing for 2025  can contact the office for scholarship information. June 15-21: Grades 2-4;  June 22-28: Grades 5-7;  June 29-July 5: Grades 7-9; July 6-12: Grades 10-12.

GOMOPALOOZA Sat., Aug. 23, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. at St. Demetrios Community Center, 3323 Atlantic St. NE, Warren, Ohio. The Metropolis of Pittsburgh welcomes musicians, performers and artists to take part in this annual event by contacting Fr. Joe Distefano ([email protected])


SCHOLARSHIPS

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE Various scholarships for undergrad and post-grad studies available at https://www.goarch.org/-/scholarships.  Deadline: May 16, 2025.

FAITH Scholarship for Academic Excellence Available to high school seniors enrolling in a 4-year U.S. university this fall who are members of a Greek Orthodox parish. Applications at thefaithendowment.org/scholarships  Submission due: June 24, 2025.

Sterea Hellas Foundation of Cleveland and Sterea Hellas Federation Scholarships  Available to graduating high school seniors who plan on continuing their education at the university level and current undergrad students.  

•Application to the Federation of Sterea Hellas’ Scholarship at https://federationofstereahellas.org/#scholarships

Due date: July 1, 2025

•Application for the Sterea Hellas Foundation of Cleveland https://nafpaktian.org/scholarships/ REVISED for 2025.

Due Date: July 15, 2025


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Saints and Feasts

May 11

Sunday of the Paralytic

Close to the Sheep's Gate in Jerusalem, there was a pool, which was called the Sheep's Pool. It had round about it five porches, that is, five sets of pillars supporting a domed roof. Under this roof there lay very many sick people with various maladies, awaiting the moving of the water. The first to step in after the troubling of the water was healed immediately of whatever malady he had.

It was there that the paralytic of today's Gospel way lying, tormented by his infirmity of thirty-eight years. When Christ beheld him, He asked him, "Wilt thou be made whole?" And he answered with a quiet and meek voice, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool." The Lord said unto him, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." And straightaway the man was made whole and took up his bed. Walking in the presence of all, he departed rejoicing to his own house. According to the expounders of the Gospels, the Lord Jesus healed this paralytic during the days of the Passover, when He had gone to Jerusalem for the Feast, and dwelt there teaching and working miracles. According to Saint John the Evangelist, this miracle took place on the Sabbath.

May 12

Epiphanios, Bishop of Cyprus

Saint Epiphanius was born about 310 in Besanduc, a village of Palestine, of Jewish parents who were poor and tillers of the soil. In his youth he came to faith in Christ and was baptized with his sister, after which he distributed all he had to the poor and became a monk, being a younger contemporary of Saint Hilarion the Great (see Oct. 21), whom he knew. He also visited the renowned monks of Egypt to learn their ways. Because the fame of his virtue had spread, many in Egypt desired to make him a bishop; when he learned of this, he fled, returning to Palestine. But after a time he learned that the bishops there also intended to consecrate him to a widowed bishopric, and he fled to Cyprus. In Paphos he met Saint Hilarion, who told him to go to Constantia, a city of Cyprus also called Salamis. Epiphanius answered that he preferred to take ship for Gaza, which, despite Saint Hilarion's admonitions, he did. But a contrary wind brought the ship to Constantia where, by the providence of God, Epiphanius fell into the hands of bishops who had come together to elect a successor to the newly-departed Bishop of Constantia, and the venerable Epiphanius was at last constrained to be consecrated, about the year 367. He was fluent in Hebrew, Egyptian, Syriac, Greek, and Latin, and because of this he was called "Five-tongued." He had the gift of working miracles, and was held in such reverence by all, that although he was a known enemy of heresy, he was well nigh the only eminent bishop that the Arians did not dare to drive into exile when the Emperor Valens persecuted the Orthodox about the year 371. Having tended his flock in a manner pleasing to God, and guarded it undefiled from every heresy, he reposed about the year 403, having lived for ninety-three years. Among his sacred writings, the one that is held in special esteem is the Panarion (from the Latin Panarium, that is, "Bread-box,") containing the proofs of the truth of the Faith, and an examination of eighty heresies.

May 13

Glykeria the Virgin-martyr of Heraclia

This Martyr contested in 141 in Trajanopolis of Thrace, during the reign of the Emperor Antoninus Pius. At a heathen festival, when Sabine the Governor of Trajanopolis was offering sacrifice, Saint Glyceria entered the temple and declared herself to be a handmaid of Christ. Sabine commanded her to sacrifice. She went to the statue of Zeus and overturned it, dashing it to pieces. She was subjected to many horrible tortures, and finally was cast to wild beasts; bitten once by one of them, she gave up her soul into the hands of God.

May 14

Isidore the Martyr of Chios

This Saint was a soldier from Alexandria. He came with the Roman fleet to Chios, where he was betrayed as a Christian to Numerian, Commander of the Fleet. Because he boldly pro-fessed himself to worship Christ as God and refused to worship any other, he was tormented and beheaded in 251, during the reign of Decius.

May 15

Achilles, Bishop of Larissa

Saint Achillius was one of the 318 God-bearing Fathers who were present at the First Ecumenical Council; after returning to Larissa he cast down many pagan temples, delivered many from the demons, and raised up churches to the glory of God. He reposed about the middle of the fourth century.

May 16

Theodoros the Sanctified

This Saint, who was born in the Upper Thebaid of Christian parents, joined the community of Saint Pachomios at about the age of fourteen years, and became the greatest of his disciples. Because of Theodore's utter humility and unquestioning obedience, Pachomios called him more and more to his aid in governing the monasteries he had established. Although some found fault with this, because Theodore was younger than they, Pachomios continued to put his confidence in him, to such a degree that once he told the brotherhood, "Theodore and I fulfil the same service for God; and he also has the authority to give commands as father." Pachomios was succeeded as governor of the monks by Saint Orsiesius in 346, and Orsiesius later took Theodore as his fellow abbot. At Theodore's death in the year 368, the monks mourned him so bitterly that the sound of their crying was heard on the other side of the river.

May 17

Andronikos the Apostle of the 70 and Junia the Martyr

These Apostles are mentioned by Saint Paul in his Epistle to the Romans, where he writes: "Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the Apostles, who also were in Christ before me" (Rom. 16:7).

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