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St. Demetrios Church
Publish Date: 2025-06-01
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. Fourth Mode. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 20:16-18, 28-36.

IN THOSE DAYS, Paul had decided to sail past Ephesos, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. And from Miletos he sent to Ephesos and called to him the elders of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them: "Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, 'it is more blessed to give than to receive.' " And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

Gospel Reading

Fathers of the 1st Council
The Reading is from John 17:1-13

At that time, Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work which you gave me to do; and now, Father, you glorify me in your own presence with the glory which I had with you before the world was made.

"I have manifested your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world; yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you; for I have given them the words which you gave me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you did send me. I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are mine; all mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves."

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Parish Announcements

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

SUNDAY

6/1

8:20; 9:30 a.m.

11:30 a.m.

To follow

12:00 p.m.

Orthros; Divine Liturgy

Greek School Commencement

Aeraki dance practice 

Kymata dance practice

MONDAY

6/2

9:00 a.m.

5:00 p.m.

5:45 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

Koulourakia

Kyklonas dance practice

Aeraki dance practice

Kymata dance practice

TUESDAY

6/3

9:00 a.m.

5:00 p.m.

5:45 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

Koulourakia

Kyklonas dance practice

Aeraki dance practice

Kymata dance practice

WEDNESDAY

6/4

5:00 p.m.

5:45 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

Kyklonas dance practice

Aeraki dance practice

Kymata dance practice

THURSDAY

6/5

10:30 a.m.

5:00 p.m.

Prayer Group

Kyklonas dance practice

FRIDAY

6/6

 

 

SATURDAY

6/7

8:20; 9:30 a.m.

12-2 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

Saturday of Souls (Ψυχοσάββατο)

Graveside memorials @ Lakewood Park

FOCUS Friends @ St Herman’s

Parish Family Night @ Lake Erie Crushers

 


CLASS OF 2025

Sunday, June 1st, after Liturgy, in church, Fr. Andy will bless our high school graduates. 

 

Presentation of the Joan Lambros Memorial to Alexandra Manos, Sylvia Mastrokostas, and Polly Poulos, and the AHEPA/ Daughters of Penelope Scholarship to Nicholas Schraff.  

 

Everyone is invited to the hall for the Greek School commencement program. Refreshments courtesy of the Dagiasis family and PTO. 


MEMORIALS

2 years for Abraham Papadakis, son of Mike and Marie

                     

6 years for Argyro Hadgis, wife of Steve, mother of Leon, Gregory and John

 

June 15: John & Mariana Pasalis,  Bishop Gerasimos;  June 29: Vicky Papouras


FESTIVAL PREPARATIONS

  Our Greek Festival will take place June 19-22.

Cooking:   beginning at 9 a.m. daily

June 2-3: Koulourakia

June 9-10: Finikia; Kourambiedes

Pricing for the Festival Ad book: 

$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

Volunteers Needed: Contact the department chair and indicate which day(s) and time shifts (open,  afternoon, close) you are available.

Drive thru :       Mike Diamond              216-312-5084   [email protected]

Food Line:        Alex Delaney-Gesing     216-392-1910  [email protected]

Kitchen:           Abdu Elias                   440-840-4084  [email protected]

Pastry:              Kim Vlastaris               216-789-7866    [email protected]

Gyros:              Jimmy Sarantos             440-832-1972    [email protected]

Taverna:           Lia Atchison                 440-773-2270    [email protected]


FAITH, FELLOWSHIP & BASEBALL

Sat., June 7,  St. Demetrios families of all ages invited to a parish outing to the Lake Erie Crushers in Avon. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Crushers players will share how their faith has shaped their lives followed by Q&A. First pitch at 7:05 p.m. Drone show & fireworks to end the night! Tickets at https://www.gofevo.com/event/stdemetrios60


CONCLUDING THE PASCHAL SEASON

SATURDAY OF SOULS  June 7, 8:20 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy & memorials. Those with loved ones at Lakewood Park, call Fr. Andy for a graveside visit between 12-2 p.m.

 

PENTECOST   Next Sun., June 8 is the 50th day after Pascha when the Holy Spirit ordained the Apostles. Kneeling Vespers immediately after Liturgy. No memorials permitted on this day.


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., June 10   Contact Joanne Harootunian (440) 353-0910


MOVIE MONDAY

June 30, 6:00 p.m.  Sacred Alaska  (2023, 1 hour & 27 min.) All welcome to the screening of this award-winning documentary exploring Native Alaskan spirituality, and the profound influence of Orthodoxy. Don't miss the amazing cinematography of Alska's natural beauty on our big screen in the hall.  Interviews include the daughter of Matrushka Olga, the first female, native North American Orthodox saint, who is being canonized on June 19.  


FELLOWSHIP CUP

Any family or group who can host a simple coffee hour on a summer Sunday, See Sign-up Genius on church’s Facebook group or call the office for available dates. 


BOOK & BIBLE STUDY

 We will be on break in June and July, resuming in August. 


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 9-11 a.m.

Meeting in Morton Park in Fairview Park on sunny days; Zapis Activity Center in case of rain. 


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

OTHER GREEK FESTIVALS 

·         June 5-7  St. Haralambos, 251 25th NW, Canton. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

·         July 16-19  Holy Trinity Trinity, 1101 Market Ave., North Canton.

·         July 17-20 St Paul Church, 4548 Wallings Rd., N. Royalton              

·         July 24-27  at Sts. Constantine and Helen, 3352 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Heights.

 

KALAMATA SUMMER SCHOOL  Young adults (born between 2001-2007) of Greek descent who are currently undergraduates can attend a summer session (July 10-August 5) at Panmessinian Kalamata University for a course on Greek Language and Culture. Apply by June 5 at www.panmessinian.com 

 

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])

GREEK CULTURAL CAMP  June 11-13 at St. Paul Church, 4548 Wallings Rd., North Royalton. For children preK-6th grade. For info & sign up go to  www.GreekCulturalCamp.com

CLEVELAND WELCOMES GREEK DIGNITARIES Tue., June 17 The Honorable Ioannis-Michael Loverdos, Deputy Minsiter of Foreign Affairs of Greece will visit Cleveland, along with the Consul General of Greece in Chicago, Emanuel Koubarakis. 

3:15-4 p.m. Hellenic Cultural Showcase of area schools and organizations at Annunciation Hall, 2187 W. 14th St., Cleveland

5:30 p.m. Light Reception and Official Remarks at the Greek Cultural Garden, 1000 E. Blvd., Cleveland.

RSVP to Evangelia Koukouras (440-317-3193) by 6/8

YASSOU OUTING REDUX  Thu., June 26, at noon, hosted by the senior group at St. Paul Church, 4548 Wallings Rd. North Royalton. If you need to carpool, contact Maggie (440-821-6054)

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.

FOCUS GOLF OUTING & AUCTION Mon., July 14 at Elyria Country Club. https://sainthermans.org/golf/  Registration and payment due by June 27th.  Proceeds to benefit St Herman’s. Non-golfers can bid on the Virtual Auction items posted at sainthermans.org  on July 6th.

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

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

CHIOS SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND For graduating high school seniors of Chian decent thru at least one parent or grandparent. Application at  chioscleveland.com    Due: July 21


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Saints and Feasts

June 01

Fathers of the 1st Council

The heresiarch Arius was a Libyan by race and a protopresbyter of the Church of Alexandria. In 315, he began to blaspheme against the Son and Word of God, saying that He is not true God, consubstantial with the Father, but is rather a work and creation, alien to the essence and glory of the Father, and that there was a time when He was not. This frightful blasphemy shook the faithful of Alexandria. Alexander, his Archbishop, after trying in vain to correct him through admonitions, cut him off from communion and finally in a local council deposed him in the year 321. Yet neither did the blasphemer wish to be corrected, nor did he cease sowing the deadly tares of his heretical teachings; but writing to the bishops of other cities, Arius and his followers requested that his doctrine be examined, and if it were unsound, that the correct teaching be declared to him. By this means, his heresy became universally known and won many supporters, so that the whole Church was soon in an uproar.

Therefore, moved by divine zeal, the first Christian Sovereign, Saint Constantine the Great, the equal to the Apostles, summoned the renowned First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, a city of Bithynia. It was there that the shepherds and teachers of the Church of Christ gathered from all regions in the year 325. All of them, with one mouth and one voice, declared that the Son and Word of God is one in essence with the Father, true God of true God, and they composed the holy Symbol of Faith up to the seventh article (since the remainder, beginning with "And in the Holy Spirit," was completed by the Second Ecumenical Council). Thus they anathematized the impious Arius of evil belief and those of like mind with him, and cut them off as rotten members from the whole body of the faithful.

Therefore, recognizing the divine Fathers as heralds of the Faith after the divine Apostles, the Church of Christ has appointed this present Sunday for their annual commemoration, in thanksgiving and unto the glory of God, unto their praise and honour, and unto the strengthening of the true Faith.

June 02

Nikephoros the Confessor, Patriarch of Constantinople

Saint Nicephorus was born in Constantinople about the year 758, of pious parents; his father Theodore endured exile and tribulation for the holy icons during the reign of Constantine Copronymus (741-775). Nicephorus served in the imperial palace as a secretary. Later, he took up the monastic life, and struggled in asceticism not far from the imperial city; he also founded monasteries on the eastern shore of the Bosphorus, among them one dedicated to the Great Martyr Theodore.

After the repose of the holy Patriarch Tarasius, he was ordained Patriarch, on April 12, 806, and in this high office led the Orthodox resistance to the Iconoclasts' war on piety, which was stirred up by Leo the Armenian. Because Nicephorus championed the veneration of the icons, Leo drove Nicephorus from his throne on March 13, 815, exiling him from one place to another, and lastly to the Monastery of Saint Theodore which Nicephorus himself had founded. It was here that, after glorifying God for nine years as Patriarch, and then for thirteen years as an exile, tormented and afflicted, he gave up his blameless soul in 828 at about the age of seventy. See also March 8.

June 03

Lucillian of Byzantium, 4 martyred Youths and Paula the Virgin

Formerly a priest of the idols near Nicomedia, the Saint came to the Christian Faith in his old age; this was during the reign of Aurelian (270-275). Lucillian was brought before Silvan the Count; when he refused to return to the service of the idols, his jaw was broken, he was beaten with rods, and hanged upside down, then imprisoned with four Christian children, Claudius, Hypatius, Paul, and Dionysius. All of them were brought out again before Silvan, and remaining constant in their faith, were cast into a raging furnace. Preserved unharmed, they were sent to Byzantium, where the children were beheaded, and Lucillian was crucified. The virgin Paula, a Christian, buried their holy relics. For this, she was taken before the Count, and refusing to sacrifice to the idols, was stripped naked and mercilessly thrashed; after other torments, she was beheaded, in 270. There was a church in their honor in Constantinople.

June 04

Our Father Metrophanes, Archbishop of Constantinople

Saint Metrophanes was born of pagan parents, but believed in Christ at a young age, and came to Byzantium. He lived at the end of the persecution of the Roman Emperors, and became the Bishop of Byzantium from about 315 to 325, during which time Saint Constantine the Great made it the capital of the Roman Empire, calling it New Rome. Saint Metrophanes sent his delegate, the priest Alexander, to the First Ecumenical Council in 325, since he could not attend because of old age. He reposed the same year and was buried by Saint James of Nisibis (celebrated Jan. 13), one of the Fathers present at the First Ecumenical Council. The Canons to the Trinity of the Octoechos are not the work of this Metrophanes but another, who was Bishop of Smyrna about the middle of the ninth century, during the life of Saint Photius the Great.

June 05

Dorotheos the Holy Martyr, Bishop of Tyre

Saint Dorotheus became Bishop of Tyre in Phoenicia about the end of the third century. During the persecution of Diocletian and Maximian, about the year 303, he fled to Odyssopolis in Thrace to preserve his life, and after the death of the tyrants he returned to Tyre. He lived until the reign of Julian the Apostate (361-363), from whose persecution he again fled to Odyssopolis (or, according to Theophylact of Bulgaria, Edessa), but was found by Julian's men and slain in great torments, at the age of 107, in 361. He was very learned, and has left behind writings in both Latin and Greek relating the lives of the holy Prophets, Apostles, and other Saints.

June 06

Hilarios the New of Dalmation Monastery

Saint Hilarion, the fervent zealot for the veneration of the holy icons, was born in 775 and had Cappadocia as his homeland. About 806-811 he became Abbot of the Monastery of Dalmatus (see May 30), but was exiled by the Emperor Leo the Armenian, and later again by Theophilus; he was set free by the pious Empress Theodora, and again became Abbot of the Monastery of Dalmatus from 843 to 845, until the time of his repose.

June 07

The Saturday of Souls

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