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St. Demetrios Church
Publish Date: 2025-05-25
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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








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. Grave Mode. Psalm 63.11,1.
The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.
Verse: Oh God, hear my cry.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 4:6-15.

Brethren, it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, "I believed, and so I spoke," we too believe, and so we speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Blind Man
The Reading is from John 9:1-38

At that time, as Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him. We must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day; night comes, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." As he said this, he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed the man's eyes with the clay, saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar, said, "Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?" Some said, "It is he"; others said, "No, but he is like him." He said, "I am the man." They said to him, "Then how were your eyes opened?" He answered, "The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and wash'; so I went and washed and received my sight." They said to him, "Where is he?" He said, "I do not know."

They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. The Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, "He put clay on my eyes and I washed, and I see." Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" There was a division among them. So they again said to the blind man, "What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet."

The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight, and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?" His parents answered, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself." His parents said this because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess him to be Christ he was to be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, "He is of age, ask him."

So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, "Give God the praise; we know that this man is a sinner." He answered, "Whether he is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see." They said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" He answered them, "I have told you already and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you too want to become his disciples?" And they reviled him, saying, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from." The man answered, "Why, this is a marvel! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" And they cast him out.

Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, "Do you believe in the Son of man?" He answered, "And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and it is he who speaks to you." He said, "Lord, I believe"; and he worshiped him.


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Parish Announcements

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

SUNDAY

5/25

8:20; 9:30 a.m.

11:30 a.m.

Orthros; Divine Liturgy

Aeraki Dance practice

MONDAY

5/26

9:00 a.m.

Graveside memorials [@ St Theodosius]

Office closed

TUESDAY

5/27

5:00 p.m.

Greek School

WEDNESDAY

5/28

10:30 a.m.

5:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Bible Study

Kyklonas dance (hall)

Kymata  dance (gym)

Resume building Class (Board Room)

THURSDAY

5/29

8:20; 9:30 a.m.

10:30 a.m.

5:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Ascension Orthros; Divine Liturgy

Prayer Group

Greek School Field Trip

Kyklonas Dancers

Choir

 


MEMORIALS

Mon., May 26, starting at 9:00 a.m., Fr. Andrew and other Orthodox priests will offer graveside memorials at St. Theodosius cemetery.  The church office will be closed.

Saturday of Souls, June 7, 8:20 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy. Those with loved ones at Lakewood Park can contact Fr. Andy for a graveside visit between 12-2 p.m.

 

June 1: Abe Papadakis;  June 15: John Pasalis


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: 

$650 for full page  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 registrations are being accepted. 

Aeraki:  Sundays, June 1st, 8th, and 15th after church 

- From June 2nd- June 18th: Monday-Thursday at 5:45pm 

Kymata:  Wed., May 28 at 6 p.m.

Sunday June 1st, 8th, and 15th at 12pm

- From June 2nd- June 18th: Monday-Thursday at 6:45pm 

Each practice will be 1 hour! 

Kyklonas:  in the hall.  5:00 p.m. on Wed, May  28 

                                  6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 29. 

Dailies (Mon-Thu) at 5 p.m. will begin on June 2.


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]


CONCLUDING THE PASCHAL SEASON

8:20 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy: 

Thu., May 29 – Ascension. The 40th day after Pascha when Jesus ascended into Heaven.

Sun., June 8 – Pentecost. The 50th day after Pascha when the Holy Spirit ordained the Apostles. Kneeling Vespers immediately after Liturgy. No memorials permitted (a Saturday of Souls will be offered on June 7)  


CLASS OF 2025

June 1st, after Liturgy, in church, Fr. Andy will bless our high school graduates. RSVP to [email protected]  this week to ensure a gift. Presentation of the scholarships from the Joan Lambros Memorial and Daughters of Penelope/AHEPA.

 

Everyone is then invited to the hall for the Greek School commencement program. Refreshments offered by the Dagiasis family and PTO.


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


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

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


PARISH PICKLEBALL

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


EVENTS ELSEWHERE

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.

 

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

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


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Saints and Feasts

May 25

Sunday of the Blind Man

The Lord Jesus was coming from the Temple on the Sabbath, when, while walking in the way, He saw the blind man mentioned in today's Gospel. This man had been born thus from his mother's womb, that is, he had been born without eyes (see Saint John Chrysostom, Homily LVI on Matthew; Saint Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book V:15; and the second Exorcism of Saint Basil the Great). When the disciples saw this, they asked their Teacher, "Who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" They asked this because when the Lord had healed the paralytic at the Sheep's Pool, He had told him, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee" (John 5:14); so they wondered, if sickness was caused by sin, what sin could have been the cause of his being born without eyes. But the Lord answered that this was for the glory of God. Then the God-man spat on the ground and made clay with the spittle. He anointed the eyes of the blind man and said to him, "Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam." Siloam (which means "sent") was a well-known spring in Jerusalem used by the inhabitants for its waters, which flowed to the eastern side of the city and collected in a large pool called "the Pool of Siloam."

Therefore, the Saviour sent the blind man to this pool that he might wash his eyes, which had been anointed with the clay-not that the pool's water had such power, but that the faith and obedience of the one sent might be made manifest, and that the miracle might become more remarkable and known to all, and leave no room for doubt. Thus, the blind man believed in Jesus' words, obeyed His command, went and washed himself, and returned, no longer blind, but having eyes and seeing. This was the greatest miracle that our Lord had yet worked; as the man healed of his blindness himself testified, "Since time began, never was it heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind," although the Lord had already healed the blind eyes of many. Because he now had eyes, some even doubted that he was the same person (John 9:8-9); and it was still lively in their remembrance when Christ came to the tomb of Lazarus, for they said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have caused that even this man should not have died?" Saint John Chrysostom gives a thorough and brilliant exposition of our Lord's meeting with the woman of Samaria, the healing of the paralytic, and the miracle of the blind man in his commentaries on the Gospel of Saint John.


May 26

Carpos and Alphaeus, Apostles of the 70

This holy Apostle was numbered with the Seventy, and ministered unto the holy Apostle Paul, journeying with him and conveying his epistles unto those to whom they were written. He became Bishop of Beroea in Thrace, where he endured great tribulations while bringing many of the heathen to holy Baptism, and also suffered martyrdom there. Saint Paul mentions him in II Timothy 4:13.


May 27

John the Russian of Evia

The Holy New Confessor John, a native of Russia, was captured during the Russian campaign against the Turks in 1711 and was thereafter sold into slavery in Asia Minor. In this condition he struggled to serve God in piety even while he served his earthly master in all that was needful. He remained steadfast in the Christian Faith in the face of the many enticements the Moslems provided to lure him to their error, and was granted the grace to work miracles by his prayers. He reposed in peace in 1730. His relics remained incorrupt and are found at New Procopion of Euboia in Greece.


May 28

Hieromartyr Eutychius, Bishop of Melitene

All information concerning this Martyr has been lost, except that he presented himself before the tyrants, mocked the idols, suffered many unspeakable torments, and was finally drowned in the sea.


May 29

Holy Ascension

The Lord Jesus passed forty days on earth after His Resurrection from the dead, appearing continually in various places to His disciples, with whom He also spoke, ate, and drank, thereby further demonstrating His Resurrection. On this Thursday, the fortieth day after Pascha, He appeared again in Jerusalem. After He had first spoken to the disciples about many things, He gave them His last commandment, that is, that they go forth and proclaim His Name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. But He also commanded them that for the present, they were not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait there together until they receive power from on high, when the Holy Spirit would come upon them.

Saying these things, He led them to the Mount of Olives, and raising His hands, He blessed them; and saying again the words of the Father's blessing, He was parted from them and taken up. Immediately a cloud of light, a proof of His majesty, received Him. Sitting thereon as though on a royal chariot, He was taken up into Heaven, and after a short time was concealed from the sight of the disciples, who remained where they were with their eyes fixed on Him. At this point, two Angels in the form of men in white raiment appeared to them and said, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus, Who is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven" (Acts 1:11). These words, in a complete and concise manner, declare what is taught in the Symbol of Faith concerning the Son and Word of God. Therefore, having so fulfilled all His dispensation for us, our Lord Jesus Christ ascended in glory into Heaven, and sat at the right hand of God the Father. As for His sacred disciples, they returned from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem, rejoicing because Christ had promised to send them the Holy Spirit.

It should be noted that the Mount of Olives is a Sabbath's day journey from Jerusalem, that is, the distance a Jew was permitted to walk on the day of the Sabbath. Ecumenius writes, "A Sabbath day's journey is one mile in length, as Clement says in his fifth Stromatis; it is two thousand cubits, as the Interpretation of the Acts states." They draw this conclusion from the fact that, while they were in the wilderness, the Israelites of old kept within this distance from the Holy Tabernacle, whither they walked on the Sabbath day to worship God.


May 30

Macrina, grandmother of St. Basil the Great


May 31

Hermias the Martyr at Comana

According to some, this Martyr strove in contest during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, also called Antoninus (161-180); according to others, it was in the reign of Antoninus Pius (138-161). Already an old man, the Saint was brought before Sebastian, Proconsul in Comana of Cappadocia, and because he would not renounce his confession of Christ, his tormentors showing no reverence to his grey hairs, broke his jaw, tore the flesh from his face, pierced his eyes with a sharp instrument, subjected him to many other torments, and finally, after three days of such torture, beheaded him.


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