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St. Demetrios Church
Publish Date: 2023-10-15
Bulletin Contents
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Parish Announcements
Saints and Feasts
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News
Wisdom of the Fathers
Hymns of the Day

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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 St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15.

Titus, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.

When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.

All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
The Reading is from Luke 8:5-15

The Lord said this parable: "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold." And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience." As he said these things, he cried out "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

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Parish Announcements

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

SUNDAY

10/15

8:20; 9:30 a.m.

Orthros; Divine Liturgy; Sunday School

MONDAY

10/16

3:00 p.m.

Movie Monday matinee

TUESDAY

10/17

5:00 p.m. / 7:00 p.m.

Greek School  / Adult Greek Class

WEDNESDAY

10/18

10:30 a.m.

7:00 p.m.

Book Study Group

Choir rehearsal

THURSDAY

10/19

10:30 a.m.

3:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

Prayer Group 

By-laws Committee

Greek School

FRIDAY

10/20

 

Candidate nomination deadline

SATURDAY

10/21

2:00 p.m.

J.O.Y. @ Miller’s Apple Hill

MEMORIALS

9 years for James Coutris, husband of Janet, father of Maria, John and Michael


WEEKLY LESSONS

This school year, our Sunday School has adopted a “One Curriculum” model. We will spend this entire school year, as a parish, learning about the Divine Liturgy in age appropriate lessons from the students age 4 thru Grade 12  in class, to Fr. Andy offering the lesson at an adult level in church.  You can access every class' curriculum sheet for each week at https://illumination-learning.com/main/divine-liturgy/ and some hard copies in the Narthex.

Oct. 15: Lesson 5- General Structure of Divine Liturgy

Oct. 22: Lesson 6- Liturgy of St. Basil

 


LOUKOUMADES SALE

Sun., Oct. 15, after Liturgy in the Cultural Hall, to benefit the Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery in Saxonburg, PA


MOVIE MONDAY

~Oct. 16 –3:00 p.m. matinee of The Chosen (Season 2) Episodes 3 & 4: A crowd gathers, hoping to be healed; Jesus and the disciples travel to the Temple in Jerusalem.

~Oct.  30 - 6:00 p.m. Belated “OXI” Day celebration with  The Guns of Navarone  (1961, 2 hours & 38 minutes) Enjoy Greek meze during a short intermission.


JOY & APPLES

Sat., Oct. 21, 2:00 p.m. at Miller’s Apple Hill, 50549 State Route 113, Amherst. Children ages 6-12 invited! RSVP by Oct. 15 to Lia (216-650-0426)


ST DEMETRIOS FEASTDAY

Wed., Oct. 25, 6 pm Vespers. Refreshments by Philoptochos.            

Thu., Oct. 26, 8:20 am Orthros; 9:30 am Divine Liturgy. Delicious baked chicken luncheon by Coyne Catering, sponsored by Philoptochos. $20/person on sale during coffee hour. 


FESTIVAL APPRECIATION

Sun., Oct. 29, immediately after Liturgy, by Coyne Catering in the hall, Parish Council and the Festial Committee invite those who volunteered to make the 2023 festival a success to a complimentary brunch. 


CLAMBAKE

Sat., Nov. 4, appetizers at 5 p.m.; dinner at 6:30 p.m. Dinners include apps, clam chowder, salad, 1 dozen clams, half chicken, sweet potato, corn, coleslaw, dessert, coffee/hot chocolate/soft drinks/ wine/ beer. Children 12 & under: chicken tenders, fries, mac&cheese. Dance to live music by Dimitri. $60/adult; $35/student (ages 13-20); $15/child 12 & under. Additional clams $14/dozen. Presale only by Oct. 28. (No tickets available at the door.) Please contact Lilly (440-477-1237) or Kelly (216-410-2068.)


PARISH SURVEY

Now thru October 21, we will assess our parish's activity, strengths, and weaknesses. The Orthodox Ministry Services (OMS) worked with over 500 Orthodox parishes on strategic plans to develop a powerful Effective Parish Assessment (EPA) survey. This EPA survey helps us determine which of the 6 Pillars and 30 Building Blocks of operational excellence require our immediate attention. It will also provide us a roadmap to address our biggest challenges. This online survey will remain open for 3 weeks and can be completed by any member of our parish. The survey link will be distributed in church and to any member requesting it from the church office.  Please help us by completing this survey and be a part of growing our community!  If you give your parish less than 30 minutes to complete the  online survey, we will have the information we need to create a much stronger, healthier, and loving Christ-centered community.


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., Nov. 4     Contact Linda Glynias (216-469-2663)

~Philoptochos next service date:       Tue., Nov. 14   Contact Crystal Thomas (440-823-5169)


COFFEE HOUR PROTOCOL

While we make every effort to have a coffee social every single Sunday, it is not always possible. Please note the following guidelines for scheduling:     

1. If the hall is rented and there is no Memorial (SUCH AS ON OCT. 1)  there will be no coffee hour.

2. If there is a memorial and the family wishes to host coffee hour on a Sunday when the hall is rented, the coffee hour will take place in the Board Room & Zapis Activity 

Any ministry or family who can host the coffee hour on Nov. 5, please contact the office. 


2023 ELECTION

Sunday, November 5, elections will be held to fill Parish Council seats of those whose terms are up: Irene Georgantas, Kostas Mathiellis, Kelly Pallas, Dee Stavrulakis, Kelly Steffas, and Jake Trotter. (According to the By-laws, these individuals may be re-nominated and elected in order to continue serving.) Also, Amy Kafantaris is stepping down, mid-term. Parish Council members who have one year to complete their term and remain on the Parish Council in 2024 are: Lilly Anitas, Marianna Karakatsani, Nico Papafil, Kurt Thomas, and Floyd Trillis Jr.  Candidate Nomination forms to be mailed to members in good standing and must be returned by Noon on Fri., Oct. 20, 2023. A mandatory Candidates’ Seminar will be held on Sun., Oct. 22 after Divine Liturgy.


PURSE PROJECT

The Daughters of Penelope are once again collecting new or gently used purses (no rips or stains) filled with essential hygiene items, now thru Sun., Nov. 12 in the lower Narthex. The bags will be distributed to 5 area women’s shelters in time for Thanksgiving.

You can fill one purse with each of the requested items, or donate various items individually: Waterproof bag with hat, gloves, scarf and warm socks, full size shampoo & conditioner, body wash, sanitizers, deodorant, lotion, lip balm, tissues, make-up bag of pads/tampons, full pack of razors and shaving cream, toothpaste, tooth brush, mints/gum, Nail, hair and beauty care items.

 


HOUSE BLESSINGS

Fr. Andy would like to visit every active household in our parish database this year.  You should have received a letter with your assigned date and time. Please contct Fr. Andy ([email protected] or 216-777-9777) to

Each household has been scheduled based on location, and noted in a letter sent to you.  Contact the office to:

1.Confirm if you will be home
2.Reschedule if you cannot be at home on your appointed day or time
3.Opt out this year

When you call, please confirm with the office that we have your correct contact information, especially cell phones and email addresses for all of your household. 


CHOIR NOTES

 If you know anyone who plays the organ and would be interested in the position of church organist, please call Maria Steffas at 440-773-1533.

Choir rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the church. New members welcome.


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.


EVENTS ELSEWHERE

ST. KYRANNA COOKING CLASS Young Adults (over 21) are invited to learn a recipe from a guest instructor, enjoy with BYOB wine, and bring a favorite board game for fellowship. RSVP to [email protected]

Saturday,Dec.  2, 4 p.m. at  Annunciation Church, 129 South Union St., Akron

Saturday, Nov. 4, Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral, 3352 Mayfield Road, Cleveland Heights

                        5:00 p.m. Vespers;  6:00 p.m. cooking

   ORTHODOX MISSION WALK Sat., Oct. 14, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 129 S. Union St., Akron, to benefit three local charities. https://tinyurl.com/3a6uncmk

 IOCC WINE TASTING Mon., Oct. 16, 6-10 p.m. at St Michael’s Woodside Center, 5025 Mill Rd., Broadview Heights. Enjoy a 4-course dinner with wine pairing, silent auction, and more. Learn how your gifts help families around the world. $60 early bird ticket (by Sept. 30); $70 after Oct. 1. Tickets  on sale in the St. Demetrios church office.

PRAYING THE JESUS PRAYER Sat., Oct. 28, 10:30 am-12:30 pm,  at St Mary Romanian Orthodox Cathedral, 3256 Warren Rd., Cleveland. Orthodox author Frederica Mathewes-Greene leads a seminar about the ancient desert prayer that tunes the heart to God. The event is free but donations to the Eastern Church Seminar welcome. Pre-registrations required at [email protected]

SUFFERING & THE NATURE OF HEALING Sat., Oct. 28, 9 am-Noon at Annunciation Church, 129 S. Union, Akron, the HUMS (Holy Unmercenaries Medical Society) presents author Dr. Daniel Hinshaw and his wife Dr. Jane Carnahan Hinshaw. $20 for members; $25 for non-members. Registation at [email protected] by Oct. 22. Light breakfast provided.

OXI  DAY DANCE Sat., Oct. 28, 7 p.m.-1 a.m. at St. Andrew Party Center, 7700 Hoertz Rd., Parma. Music by Karizma and DJ Vasilios. $20/person; under 13 free. Cash bar, meze platters. For tickets call George Mastrokostas (440-390-8142)  Sponsored by the Nafpaktian Cultural Foundation.

YOUNG ADULT FALL RETREAT Oct. 27-29 at Camp Nazareth. Topic: Iconography: Awed by the Beauty. Adults ages 18-35 from all Orthodox jurisdictions invited for a rejuvenating weekend. Register at TinyURL.com/YAFall2023

 A.I. vs  I AM  Nov. 17-19, GOYA Fall Retreat at Camp Nazareth. Speakers Ted Cherpas and Fr. Alexey Petrides. Registration opens Oct 2 at y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org/retreats

INAUGURAL PAN THIVAION REUNION Sat., Nov. 18, for those with roots from the villages of the historic city of Thebes. Gala dinner-dance at The Hotel at Oberlin. $100 /adult;  $75 for Seniors (75+) and  Students (under 21) Children 4 & under FREE, but please let us know they are coming when you RSVP. Special group rate at the hotel, if booked by October 18, 2023. For tickets and the link to hotel reservations, go to www.panthivaionreunion.com

 OCF COLLEGE CONFERENCE Dec. 27-30 at Antiochian Village in Bolivar, PA. Registration now open at https://www.ocf.net/cc23/

 


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Saints and Feasts

October 15

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council

On the Sunday that falls on or immediately after the eleventh of this month, we chant the Service to the 350 holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, which gathered in Nicaea in 787 under the holy Patriarch Tarasius and during the reign of the Empress Irene and her son, Constantine Porphyrogenitus, to refute the Iconoclast heresy, which had received imperial support beginning with the Edict issued in 726 by Emperor Leo the Isaurian. Many of the holy Fathers who condemned Iconoclasm at this holy Council later died as Confessors and Martyrs for the holy Icons during the second assult of Iconoclasm in the ninth century, especially during the reigns of Leo the Armenian and Theophilus.

October 16

Longinos the Centurion

This Martyr was in the service of Pontius Pilate at the time of Christ our Saviour's Passion. While standing guard at the Cross and beholding the earthquake and all that came to pass, he cried out with fear, "Truly this was the Son of God" (Matt. 27:54). After the Resurrection, he forsook the military and departed for Cappadocia, his homeland, where he preached Christ. By the agency of Pontius Pilate, Tiberius Caesar had him arrested and beheaded.

October 17

Andrew the Righteous Monk-martyr of Crete

Saint Andrew was from the island of Crete, where he lived the monastic life. During the reign of Constantine Copronymus, he came to Constantinople and suffered many things in defence of the veneration of the holy icons. Finally, he was dragged through the market, bound by the feet, one of which was severed by a fishmonger wielding a cleaver, and thus the Saint surrendered his spirit unto God in the year 761. His sacred relics were buried at a certain place called "The Judgment."

October 18

Luke the Evangelist

This Apostle was an Antiochean, a physician by trade, and a disciple and companion of Paul. He wrote his Gospel in Greek after Matthew and Mark, after which he wrote the Acts of the Apostles, and dedicated both works to Theophilus, who, according to some, was Governor of Achaia. He lived some eighty-six years and died in Achaia, perhaps in Patras, the capital of this district. His emblem is the calf, the third symbolical beast mentioned by Ezekiel (1:10), which is a symbol of Christ's sacrificial and priestly office, as Saint Irenaeus says.

October 19

Joel the Prophet

The Prophet Joel, whose name means "Yah is God," was of the tribe of Reuben, the son of Bathuel, and lived from 810 to 750 B.C. (but some say in the 7th century B.C.). His book is divided into three chapters, and is the second in order of the minor Prophets. He foretold the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Joel 2:28, and quoted by the Apostle Peter in Acts 2:17), and the saving power of the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Joel 2:32).

October 20

Matrona the Righteous of Chios

October 21

Our Righteous Father Christodoulus, the Wonderworker of Patmos

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Wisdom of the Fathers

When you see life's pleasures, beware that they might not distract you, for they conceal death's snares. Likewise a fisherman casts not his hook to no purpose. As bait for his hook, the enemy uses the delusion of sensuality to arouse desire, that he might thereby catch men's souls and subject them to himself. A soul which has been caught to serve the enemy's will then serves as a snare for other souls, for it conceals the grief of sin with its apparent delight.
St. Ephraim the Syrian
A Spiritual Psalter no 43, pg. 74, 4th century

Since there are certain people who find great fault with us for adoring and honoring both the image of the Savior and that of our Lady, as well as those of the rest of the saints and servants of Christ, let them hear how from the beginning God made man to His own image. For what reason, then, do we adore one another, except because we have been made to the image of God? As the inspired Basil, who is deeply learned in theology, says: "the honor paid to the image conveys to the original.," and the original is the thing imaged from which the copy is made.
St. John of Damascus
The Orthodox Faith, 4.16. Catholic University of America Press in Washington D.C. Translated by Frederic H. Chase, Jr. volume 37, page 370., 8th Century

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode

When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, all the powers in the Heavens cried out: O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery


Apolytikion for Sun. of the 7th Ecumenical Council in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Most glorified art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast established our Fathers as luminous stars upon the earth, and through them didst guide us all to the true Faith. O Most Merciful One, glory be to Thee.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery


Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery


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