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St. Demetrios Church
Publish Date: 2025-03-16
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 1:10-14; 2:1-3.

IN THE BEGINNING, Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?

Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
The Reading is from Mark 2:1-12

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the paralytic-"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

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Parish Announcements

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

SUNDAY

3/16

8:20; 9:30 a.m.

11:30 a.m.

Orthros; Divine Liturgy; Sunday School

Kymata Dance practice

MONDAY

3/17

 

 

TUESDAY

3 /18

9:00 a.m.

5:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Festival cooking: Moussaka

Greek School  

Parish Council meeting

WEDNESDAY

3/19

9:00 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

Festival Cooking: Moussaka

Pre-Sanctified Liturgy; Lenten meal, Speaker

THURSDAY

3/20

10:30 a.m.

5:00 p.m.

6:30-7:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Prayer Group

Greek School

Kyklonas dance practice

Choir practice

FRIDAY

3/21

6:00 p.m.

Salutations to the Theotokos

SATURDAY

3/22

12:00 p.m.

Greek Independence Parade [Tremont]

SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS

Fridays, March  14, 21, 28 and April 4. 6:00 p.m.


MEMORIAL

40 days for Sophie Tetorakis, mother of Peter and Angelo.

Coffee hour hosted by the family in the Zapis Activity Center (Note: hall is rented.)


HELLENIC DANCE

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

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

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

 


FESTIVAL PREPARATIONS

 March 18-19 : Moussaka.   9 a.m.

March 31-April 1: Spanakopita. Moring sessions start at 9 a.m. Please note that there will be an additional afternoon/evening session on March 31st.

 Our Greek Festival will take place June 19-22.


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, 

Noon Doxology at Annunciation Church, 2187 W. 14th St., Cleveland.

1 p.m. Parade kick off fromthe parking lot.  Parade route: Fairfield to W. 11th to Lincoln Park and back up W. 14th. St. Hellenic organizations who plan to march 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.  


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.,  April 5.   Contact Christina Trillis (440) 665-1494

~Philoptochos next service date:  Tue., April 8.    Contact Joanne Harootunian (440) 353-0910


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.


GOYA NEWS

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

 Palm Folding & Lenten Lock-in: April 11-12. Friday: fold the palm crosses, Lenten potluck dinner, and retreat activities overnight. Saturday: attend Saturday of Lazarus Liturgy at 9:30 a.m


PTO LOUKOUMADES

Sun., April 6, on sale after Liturgy in the hall.


GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Sun., April 6, after Liturgy in the hall. Agenda will include the updated Parish Bylaws for approval.

A quorum of 25 members in good standing is required for this meeting. 


FAMILY MOVIE OUTING

Saturday of Lazarus, April 12. 3:00 P.M. screening of “The King of Kings” an animated telling of Jesus’ life, at Regal Cobblestone Theater, 5500 Cobblestone Rd., Elyria. Advance tickets at a group rate  of $12 will be sold during coffee hours and in the church office. 


PALM SUNDAY LUNCHEON

April 13,  following Liturgy, the Legacy Fund invites the entire parish to the traditional plaki fish meal (Pasta also available.)  Free with reservation. Contact the office.


MOVIE MONDAY

April 28, 6:00 p.m. Ben Hur (1925; 2 hours) Judah Ben Hur, a 1st-century Jewish   prince, is unjustly betrayed by his   childhood friend, a Roman. After a long   exile, he returns to Jerusalem seeking   revenge, just as an innocent Rabbi from   Nazareth is being crucified… Starring   Ramon Navarro   and a cast of thousands.   This is not the version you’ve probably   seen on TV. Watch the original epic on the   big screen on its 100th anniversary!

In the Cultural Hall.  Free & open to all.


EVENTS ELSEWHERE

FISH FRIES Fridays, now thru 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.

 MOTHERS & SISTERS OF THE VEIL  Sat., March 22, 7 p.m. at St. James Catholic Church, 17514 Detroit Ave., Lakewood.  A concert of glorious chant from Catholic and Byzantine convent traditions, featuring Orthodox cantor Photini Downie Robinson. Free admission; donations accepted.

 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.

 

TETELESTAI: “It Is Finished”  March 28-30.  A musical portrayal of Christ’s trial, execution, and Resurrection. Shows on Friday & Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday show at 2 p.m.  At St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church, 2143 Homewood Dr., Lorain. Free admission; donations accepted.

 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

CAMP NAZARETH The Metropolis of Pittsburgh summer camp in Mercer, PA. For registration and dates: y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org/summercamp  2025 Members in Good Standing of St. Demetrios Church contact the office for scholarship information.  

  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.

John M. Manos AHEPA Chapter #36 Available to graduating high school seniors of Greek descent residing in Cuyahoga, Lorain, Summit, Medina or Lake County, and based on merit. Contact Alex Rokakis ([email protected]) for  application. Deadline: May 3, 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 16

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.

His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today.

March 17

Patrick the Enlightener of Ireland

Saint Patrick, the Apostle of the Irish, was seized from his native Britain by Irish marauders when he was sixteen years old. Though the son of a deacon and a grandson of a priest, it was not until his captivity that he sought out the Lord with his whole heart. In his Confession, the testament he wrote towards the end of his life, he says, "After I came to Ireland - every day I had to tend sheep, and many times a day I prayed - the love of God and His fear came to me more and more, and my faith was strengthened. And my spirit was so moved that in a single day I would say as many as a hundred prayers, and almost as many at night, and this even when I was staying in the woods and on the mountain; and I would rise for prayer before daylight, through snow, through frost, through rain, and I felt no harm." After six years of slavery in Ireland, he was guided by God to make his escape, and afterwards struggled in the monastic life at Auxerre in Gaul, under the guidance of the holy Bishop Germanus. Many years later he was ordained bishop and sent to Ireland once again, about the year 432, to convert the Irish to Christ. His arduous labours bore so much fruit that within seven years, three bishops were sent from Gaul to help him shepherd his flock, "my brethren and sons whom I have baptized in the Lord - so many thousands of people," he says in his Confession. His apostolic work was not accomplished without much "weariness and painfulness," long journeys through difficult country, and many perils; he says his very life was in danger twelve times. When he came to Ireland as its enlightener, it was a pagan country; when he ended his earthly life some thirty years later, about 461, the Faith of Christ was established in every corner.

March 18

Edward the Martyr, King of England

March 19

Chrysanthos & Daria the Martyrs

Saint Chrysanthus, who was from Alexandria, had been instructed in the Faith of Christ by a certain bishop. His father, who was a senator by rank and a pagan, had him shut up in prison for many days; then, seeing the unchanging disposition of his mind, he commanded that a certain young woman named Daria be brought from Athens. She was a very beautiful and learned maiden, and also an idolater, and Chrysanthus' father wedded him to her so that he might be drawn away from the Faith of Christ because of his love for her. Instead of this however, Chrysanthus drew Daria unto piety, and both of them boldly proclaimed Christ and received the crown of martyrdom in 283, during the reign of Numerian, when they were buried alive in a pit of mire.

March 20

Cuthbert the Wonderworker, Bishop of Lindisfarne

Saint Cuthbert was born in Britain about the year 635, and became a monk in his youth at the monastery of Melrose by the River Tweed. After many years of struggle as a true priest of Christ, in the service both of his own brethren and of the neglected Christians of isolated country villages, he became a solitary on Farne Island in 676. After eight years as a hermit, he was constrained to leave his quiet to become Bishop of Lindisfarne, in which office he served for almost two years. He returned to his hermitage two months before he reposed in peace in 687. Because of the miracles he wrought both during his life and at his tomb after his death, he is called the "Wonderworker of Britain." The whole English people honoured him, and kings were both benefactors to his shrine and suppliants of his prayers. Eleven years after his death, his holy relics were revealed to be incorrupt; when his body was translated from Lindisfarne to Durham Cathedral in August of 1104, his body was still found to be untouched by decay, giving off "an odour of sweetest fragrancy," and "from the flexibility of its joints representing a person asleep rather than dead." Finally, when the most impious Henry VIII desecrated his shrine, opening it to despoil it of its valuables, his body was again found incorrupt, and was buried in 1542. It is believed that after this the holy relics of Saint Cuthbert were hidden to preserve them from further desecration.

March 21

James the Confessor

This Saint took up the monastic life from his youth in the Monastery of Studium, where he became a disciple of Saint Theodore the Studite. Later he became bishop and suffered many afflictions and torments at the hands of the Iconoclasts. Saint Theodore composed a homily in honour of this Saint James (PG 99, 1353-1356).

March 22

Kalliniki & Vassilisa the Martyrs

Vasilissa was a pious and wealthy woman of Galatia who would send her helper Kalliniki with money to aid imprisoned Christians. Kalliniki was eventually arrested and unable to lie about where she received the money. Vasilissa was also arrested, and both boldly confessed Christ to the tribunal. They were tortured, and beheaded during the reign of Roman Emperor Gallus (251-53.)

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