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St. Demetrios Church
Publish Date: 2025-03-09
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. Plagal First Mode. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 12:1-10.

BRETHREN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers to discipline us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of Orthodoxy
The Reading is from John 1:43-51

At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

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Parish Announcements

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

SUNDAY

3/9

8:20; 9:30 a.m.

11:30 a.m.

Orthros; Divine Liturgy; Sunday School

Kymata Dance practice

MONDAY

3/10

9:00 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Festival cooking: pastitsio

Movie Monday

Philoptochos meeting

TUESDAY

3 /11

9:00 a.m.

4:30 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

Festival cooking: pastitsio

Philoptochos serve @ St Herman’s

Greek School  

WEDNESDAY

3/12

10:30 a.m.

Bible Study

THURSDAY

3/13

10:30 a.m.

5:00 p.m.

6:45-7:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Prayer Group

Greek School

Kyklonas dance practice

Choir practice

FRIDAY

3/14

6:00 p.m.

Salutations to the Theotokos

Fr. Andy will be at the Metropolis Clergy Retreat March 10-13. Contact the office with emergencies.


SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS

Fridays, March 7, 14, 21, 28 and April 4. Those who can decorate the icons on March 21 or 28, please contact the office.


SATURDAY OF SOULS

March 8, 8:20 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy. Please bring plates of Kollyva to the solea no later than 9:30 a.m.


SUNDAYS OF LENT

Sunday of Orthodoxy  March 9, 

~St. Demetrios Sunday School students are invited to bring a favorite icon from home to take part in our parish procession after Divine Liturgy. 

~5:00 p.m.  all Cleveland’s Orthodox faithful invited to the Pan-Orthodox Vespers, hosted at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 6306 Broadview Rd., Parma. Children welcome to bring their icons for the procession.  Homily by Bishop Irinej. 

 

Sunday of the Holy Cross  March 23

Anyone who can donate the daffodils for this service, please contact the office

 


LENTEN SOUP SALE

Sun., March 9,  the Daughters of Penelope are hosting coffee hour, and also selling a variety of homemade Lenten soups (Lentil, Bean, etc.)  to-go.  $5  per 8 oz. container;  $1 per bag of lagana bread dippers.  Cash and checks gladly accepted. Proceeds to benefit the Scholarship Fund. 

 


HELLENIC DANCE

Kymata Dancers (9-12) Sundays in the gym during coffee, starting  March 9

Kyklonas Dancers (ages 13 & up) Rehearsals on Thursdays in the hall, 6:45-7:30 p.m., starting March 13

Aeraki Dancers (ages 6-8) will begin rehearsing after Pascha

 


FESTIVAL PREPARATIONS

starting at 9 a.m.  No previous experience necessary. Coffee & lunch to be provided. 

March 10-11: Pastitsio

 March 18-19 : Moussaka.


FRIENDS OF THE POOR

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

~Philoptochos next service date:  Tue., March 11.    Contact Joanne Harootunian (440-353-0910)

~FOCUS Friends next service date: Sat.,  March 1.  Contact Christina Trillis (440) 665-1494 


MOVIE MONDAY

March 10, 6:00 p.m. I Confess (1953; 1 hour & 35 min.) Alfred Hitchcock’s suspenseful film about a priest who faces suspicion for murder, but cannot break the seal of the confessional - even to prove his own innocence! Free & open to all.


ORATORICAL FESTIVAL

Sun., March 16, students (Grades 4-12) invited to participate. In addition to spoken presentations, there are also poetry, iconography, and essay competitions. Topics at https://www.pittsburgh.goarch.org/oratorical. If you are interested in participating, please email Beth Patterson, [email protected].


LENTEN LECTURE SERIES

All of the following evening services begin at 6:00 p.m.

  •   Wednesdays, March 19, 26, April 2, 9.  Readers welcome! Contact Fr. Andy for details.

  • 3/19     Deacon John Pantelis        “Imitation of the Divine Nature”        GOYA

    3/26     Diakonissa Amy Pantelis   “Pray for One Another”                    Yassou Club

    4/2       Ted Seidl                          “The Deaconate”                              Choir

    4/9       Fr. Anastasios Phyrillis       “The Cross in the Old Testament”     Daughters of Penelope


GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE

Sat., March 22, 1 p.m. Kick-off and return at Annunciation Church, 2187 W. 14th St., Cleveland. Hellenic organizations who plan to march and/or send a dance group should register by contacting Emmanuel Ermidis or Eleni Papouras-Jenks (440-331-2246 ext.2)


MARCH 25TH PROGRAM

Sun., March 23 after Liturgy, all are invited to a program in the hall celebrating Annunciation and Greek Independence Day. Poetry, songs and dances presented by the Greek School and Hellenic dancers. Refreshments courtesy of the PTO.


ZOE HOUSE BABY SHOWER

Sundays, March 23 & 30, Philoptochos will be collecting items to benefit mothers in need in Cleveland. Wish list: Diapers (newborn-6,) wipes, baby wash, shampoo & lotion, receiving blankets, washcloths/towels, bottles, clothes (size 0-24 months,) strollers, high chairs, infant car seats, pack & plays.  


STEWARDSHIP

If you have not yet done so,please consider submitting your 2025 pledge commitment by March 15 to be listed and thanked in the April issue of The Epistle.

 If you would like to serve on the Stewardship Committee or have any ideas you would like to share, please call or email John Patterson at 216-630-6901, [email protected].


BOOK & BIBLE STUDY

Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. in the Parish Library. We are currently reading the hagiography of St. Mary of Egypt. 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.


EVENTS ELSEWHERE

YOUNG ADULT SPRING RETREAT   March 14-16, at Camp Nazareth in Mercer, Penn. “Living the Liturgy” with Fr. Timothy Paproski. For ages 18-35. Httpw://tinyurl.com/2z7kjpyh

FISH FRIES Fridays, March 7- April 11.

  • Sts. Constantine and Helen, 3352 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Heights.  5:00-7:30 p.m.
  • Annunciation, 2187 W. 14th St., Cleveland.  5:00-8:00 p.m.

GREEK  INDEPENDENCE GLENDI Sat., March 22, Tremont Cityside Ballroom, 2187 W. 14th St, Cleveland, hosted by the Pan-Ikarian Brotherhood. Dinner-Dance at  7:30 p.m. $60 pre-sale ONLY (until 3/17.) Dance only: $25 at the door, starting at 9:30 p.m.  Live music by STIGMA, featuring local Icarian violinists. For tickets call: (216) 513-2670 or  (440) 223-9380

 ANNUNCIATION FEASTDAY at Annunciation Church, 2187 W. 14th St., Cleveland

~Mon., March 24, 7 p.m. Vespers with Artoklasia, followed by coffee social.

~Tue., March 25, 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy. Plaki lunch to follow. $25/person. Call Stella Siakantris (440-554-7432) to purchase tickets.

 ‘THE CITY AS LITURGY’ March 29-30, tour of Washington D.C. Visit the Megiddo Mosaic at the Museum of the Bible, icons in the National Gallery, Byzantine collection at Dumbarton Oaks, and more! Tour led by Dr. Timothy Patitsas. $350 includes 2 days of transportation within the city, Lenten meals, and group admission to the museums, but does not include travel to Washington or hotel accommodations. For more info and to register by March 10 go to www.beautyfirstfilms.com

 

GOYA LENT REATREAT ‘April 4-6 at Camp Nazareth, Mercer, PA.  ‘Finding Strength In Chaos’with keynote speaker Nitsa Kambouroglos. Register at y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org/retreats

JOURNEY TO GREECE This AHEPA program is a cultural immersion initiative that enables high school seniors and college undergraduates to earn up to six college course credits, in collaboration with Webster University. Application at Ahepa.org/education   Register before April 30, 2025.

 IOCC REBUILD TEAM  June 15-21, help rebuild homes in eastern Tennessee damaged by Hurricane Helene. Volunteers must be 16 or older; no previous building experience is required. $100 will cover room & board, local transportation. Register at iocc.org/volunteer25

  ST. DEMETRIOS MISSION TRIP July 12-18, 2025 to the Blackfeet Nation in Browning, Montana. For more information, contact Jake Trotter ([email protected])


SCHOLARSHIPS

AHEPA District #11 BUCKEYE SCHOLARSHIP Open to graduating high school seniors and undergrad students whose parent/guardian is a member of AHEPA or Daughter of Penelope Buckeye District #11 for at least the last two years and a paid member for 2025; or if student is a member of Sons of Pericles or Maids of Athena. (Those who received a scholarship in the past are still eligible if still an undergraduate.) Applications at https://bsf.buckeyedistrict11.org/?page_id=327 Deadline is March 31, 2025.

John George Tsitsos Scholarship Fund  To cover all or part of annual tuition expenses for students  of Greek ethnicity or descent who are pursuing postgraduate degrees, including but not limited  to STEM, Medical Research, and Seminarians at Hellenic College/Holy Cross Seminary. Applications at www.ahepa.org/education

 Daughters of Penelope, Icarus Chapter  Available to high school seniors who plan to pursue an undergraduate degree, whose parents are members of Daughters of Penelope #321, AHEPA #389, or members in good standing of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Rocky River. Request the application at [email protected]  Submission due April 25, 2025.

  Joan Lambros Memorial Scholarship Available to women of St Demetrios who are studying any of the Sciences at the undergrad or graduate level. Request the application at  [email protected]    Submission due April 17, 2025.

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

March 09

Sunday of Orthodoxy

For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741) and ending in the reign of Theophilus (829-842). After Theophilus's death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: "If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God's forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy.

March 10

Anastasia of Alexandria

She was descended from an aristocratic family in Constantinople, and esteemed by the Emperor Justinian (527-565) due to her virtue. She was widowed at a young age, and decided to leave the world. She went to Egypt, where she founded a small monastery outside Alexandria. Several years later, when Justinian was also widowed, he decided to search for her, to marry her. When she learned of this, Anastasia asked Abba Daniel (feastday March 18) for help. The elder dressed her a man’s monk garb, called her “Anastasios,” and settled her in a remote cave with instruction never to leave. Only one other monk knew the location of the cave where he would leave some bread and water each week. Anastasia lived in seclusion there for 28 years, until the Lord revealed to her the day of her death. She wrote some words to Abba Daniel on a pottery shard left at the cave entrance. The elder brought everything necessary for her burial. It was then that the other monk learned of her gender and her story, which was later written down. Her relics were transferred to Constantinople in 1200, near the Agia Sophia, which was re-built by Justinian. 

March 11

Theodora the Righteous

St. Theodora, Empress of Arta (March 11) was the daughter of Helena and  John Petraliphas, who was a 13th century ruler of Macedonia and Thessaly. She was married to Michael II Komnenos Doukas Angelos shortly after he became ruler of Epiros,  and they had 6 children including Nikephoros I Komnenos Doukas, Anna Lady of Kalamata and Clermont, and Nicholas II of Saint-Omer, Lord of Achaia. Early in their marriage, Michael II became enamored by a noblewoman, and banished the pregnant Theodora, with a decree that she was not to be assisted. For five years, she existed in exile by living "off the land" in the open, nobly enduring her life without complaint. Although reduced to picking wild greens for food, and caring for the son whom she bore in exile, she maintained her virtue. A priest from the village of Preniste found her while she was foraging, and after she identified herself, he took them under his care and concealed her until court officials drove the wicked noblewoman out, and returned Michael to his senses. Michael then took Theodora back into his house, and  the couple raised their family and lived virtuously until his death. Michael established two men’s monasteries, Pantanassa and Panagia, and Theodora founded a women's monastery dedicated to St. George, later named for St. Theodora. After Michael’s death in 1267, Theodora became a nun, praying, attending vigils, serving orphans, widows, and the other nuns.

 

March 12

Gregory Dialogos, Bishop of Rome

Saint Gregory was born in Rome to noble and wealthy parents about the year 540. While the Saint was still young, his father died. However, his mother, Sylvia, saw to it that her child received a good education in both secular and spiritual learning. He became Prefect of Rome and sought to please God even while in the world; later, he took up the monastic life; afterwards he was appointed Archdeacon of Rome, then, in 579, apocrisiarius (representative or Papal legate) to Constantinople, where he lived for nearly seven years. He returned to Rome in 585 and was elected Pope in 590. He is renowned especially for his writings and great almsgiving, and also because, on his initiative, missionary work began among the Anglo-Saxon people. It is also from him that Gregorian Chant takes its name; the chanting he had heard at Constantinople had deeply impressed him, and he imported many elements of it into the ecclesiastical chant of Rome. He served as Bishop of that city from 590 to 604.

March 13

Christina the Martyr of Persia

She lived during the 6th-century reign of King Chosroes I. For her unwavering confession of Christ, she was flogged to death with a whip

March 14

Benedict the Righteous of Nursia

This Saint, whose name means "blessed," was born in 480 in Nursia, a small town about seventy miles northeast of Rome. He struggled in asceticism from his youth in deserted regions, where his example drew many who desired to emulate him. Hence, he ascended Mount Cassino in Campania and built a monastery there. The Rule that he gave his monks, which was inspired by the writings of Saint John Cassian, Saint Basil the Great, and other Fathers, became a pattern for monasticism in the West; because of this, he is often called the first teacher of monks in the West. He reposed in 547.

March 15

Holy Apostle Aristobulos of the Seventy, Bishop of Britain

Saint Aristobulos, the brother of Saint Barnabas, was ordained to be bishop in Britain by the Apostle Paul, who mentions him in his epistle to the Romans (16:10). He suffered many afflictions at the hands of the pagans, but also brought many to Christ. Having established the Church there, he finally reposed in peace.

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