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St. Demetrios Church
Publish Date: 2025-07-27
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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 Timothy 2:1-10.

Timothy, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hardworking farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything.

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel, the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory.


Gospel Reading

7th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 9:27-35

At that time, as Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons."

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.


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Parish Announcements

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

SUNDAY

7/27

8:20; 9:30 a.m.

Orthros; Divine Liturgy

MONDAY

7/28

 

 

TUESDAY

7/29

 

 

WEDNESDAY

7/30

 

 

THURSDAY

7/31

10: 30 a.m.

Prayer Group

FRIDAY

8/1

6:00 p.m.

Paraclesis for the Dormition

SATURDAY

8/2

5:00 p.m.

FOCUS Friends @ St Herman’s

ST. PANTELEIMON FEASTDAY Happy nameday to all who celebrate on Sunday, July 27!


MEMORIAL

 40 days for Annette Packis, mother of Tom, Dan, and Dean

Coffee Hour hosted by her family


SABBATICAL COVERAGE

Welcome to Fr. John Zdinak who will be with us while Fr. Andrew is away on Sabbatical until Sept. 15.  

Fr. John is available for all pastoral matters, sacraments, meetings, etc. upon contacting the Church office. 

 


HOLY DAYS OF SUMMER

·         Paraclesis for the Dormition Lent:  August 1, 6, 8, 13,  6:00 p.m. to be held in St Philothei Chapel

Note: the Youth/Young Adult paraclesis service for the Western Metropolis region will be on Thu., Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul Church, 4548  Wallings Rd., North Royalton.

 

·         Transfiguration of our Savior: Tue., August 5:  6:00 p.m. Vespers; Wed., Aug. 6 :  Orthros 8:20 a.m.; Divine Liturgy  9:30 a.m. in St. Demetrios church. Those offering grapes and other fruits, please bring plates to the solea no later than 9:30 a.m.

 

Those planning on offering Artoklasia for any holiday service, please call the office first to let us know you will be bringing bread. 

 

·         Dormition of the Theotokos: Thu., Aug. 14 : 6:00 p.m. Vespers; Fri, Aug 15: Orthros 8:20 a.m.; Divine Liturgy  9:30 a.m. in St. Demetrios church. Those celebrating their nameday are invited to bring a plate of treats to the coffee hour on Sunday, Aug. 17.

 


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.,  Aug. 2.  Contact Christina Trillis (440) 665-1494.

~Philoptochos’ next service date:  Tue.,  Aug. 12.   Contact Joanne Harootunian (440) 353-0910.


MOVIE MONDAY

Aug. 4, 6:00 p.m. Papadopoulos & Sons (2012; 1 hour & 45 min.; PG-13)

A Greek-Cypriot widower goes broke in a British recession and reluctantly reunites with his estranged brother to re-open the family’s fish & chips diner in London. The two very different men must then come to terms with big losses from the past - with a little comedy to face the future. This continues our series on the Beatitudes with “Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Free and open to all in the Cultural Hall. Rating based on language.

 


SUNDAY SCHOOL MEETINGS

Mon., Aug. 4, 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room for those interested in teaching in 2025-26

Tue., Aug. 12 - 6 p.m. planning meeting for the Ecclesiastic New Year party on Aug. 24


CALENDAR MEETING

Tue., Aug. 5, 5:00 p.m. in the board room. All ministries should send a representative to put their regular meeting times and special events on the 2025-26 church year calendar. The meeting will conclude in time for the Transfiguration Vespers.

 


FELLOWSHIP CUP

 Any family or ministry that can host a simple coffee hour on Aug. 10 or 31, please use the Sign-up Genius on our church’s Facebook group or call the church office.


OPA-CIZE

Mondays, Aug. 11  & Sept. 8 in the Zapis Activity Center, 6:00-6:30 p.m. Aerobic exercise done to fun Greek music led by certified instructor Ari Fine. First class is free; Package (6 sessions) $28 (doesn’t expire!)  Multiple payment methods available. Contact the office for more info. All welcome and bring a friend!


ECCLESIASTIC NEW YEAR

Sun., Aug. 24,  St Demetrios’ youth ministries (Sunday School, Greek School, JOY, GOYA)  invite students to a new year celebrations. Students will receive a back-to-school blessing after Liturgy. After church, there will be bouncy houses in the Zapis Activity Center, face painting, and food in the Cultural Hall.

 


GOLF OUTING

Sat., Aug. 30 at Grey Hawk Golf Course, 665 U.S. Grant St., LaGrange. 8:30 a.m. Registration; 10 a.m. Shot-gun start; scramble format. Your great time will include gifts, drinks, lunch, driving range, golf, on-course beverages, side game prizes, a great dinner, drawings and sponsorship opportunities. All proceeds benefit St. Demetrios Legacy Fund. $160/golfer or $640/foursome. $30 dinner only. Register at https://birdease.com/saintdemetriosgolf 

 


SERVICE HOURS

High School students who require volunteer time to graduate can contact Eleni ([email protected]) to enquire about office/archival projects toward their hours.

 


DOP SUMMER READING

The Daughters of Penelope invite you to include "Ariadne" by Jennifer Saint (pub. 2021) on your summer beach reading.  [Available for check out at the Cuyahoga Co. Pubic LIbraries, Westlake Porter, and ROcky  River Library]

We will then meet on Wed., Sept. 10 at Melted Wings Winery to discuss. 


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

OTHER GREEK FESTIVALS 

·          July 25-27:  Sts. Constantine and Helen, 3352 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Heights.

·         August 23:  Olmsted Falls Greek Fest, 7890 Brookside Dr., Olmsted Falls. Noon-8 p.m.

·         Labor Day Weekend: Varouh Cretan Club, Kamm’s Corners

 

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])

5K WALK/RUN FOR IOCC Sat., Sept. 6, at Lakewood Park, 14532 Lake Ave., Lakewood. Individuals $25; Families $50 to support the humanitarian work of International Orthodox Christian Charities. Opening prayer & photo: 8:45 a.m.; Walk/run begins 9 a.m. Register at iocc.org/Cleveland

 

ORTHODOX WOMEN CANTORS Sept. 11-14 at St. Nicholas Cathedral, 419 S. Dithridge St., Pittsburgh, PA. Female Byzantine cantors from around the U.S. gather for worship, education and practice in the Psaltic art. $250/participant includes all meals, workshops & e-music packet. Registration at www.stnickspgh.org/sowbc2025 before Aug. 15.

 

HONORING THE SABBATH Sept. 19-21 Family camp at Camp Nazareth in Mercer, PA. Open to all families. Adult Track keynote speaker: Priscilla Callos; Youth Track Speaker Marina Giannirakis. Registration opens July 14. Email Fr. Joe DeStefano ([email protected])

 

VIRTUE & ADORNMENT IN BYZANTIUM  Sun., Sept. 28 at 2 p.m. the Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd, presents  the annual Collis Lecture. Alicia Walker, Art History Professor at Bryn Mawr College, will explore attitudes toward women and adornment in the Byzantine world. Free ticket, required. Call 216-421-7350.

 

VENDORS & ARTISANS Sat., Oct. 11, St. Paul Philoptochos is seeking vendors for their annual craft fair in North Royalton. For information, email [email protected]


PARISH PICKLEBALL

Wednesdays 9-11 a.m.

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


NEW DIRECTORY

It’s time for a new parish directory (our last one was printed in 2018!) Please make sure that we have your updated contact information via your 2025 pledge card (or let the office know if you prefer to be unlisted.) Universal Church Directories will schedule photography sessions at St Demetrios on Thu., Oct. 16, 2:00-8:30 pm.; Fri., Oct. 17, 2:00-8:30 p.m. and Sat., Oct. 18,  10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.  Each household photographed for the directory will receive a free 8x10 portrait, a hard copy of the directory, as well as an electronic version of the directory. Look for photography scheduling information by the end of summer.


SCHOLARSHIPS

METROPOLIS OF PITTSBURGH The Spero Samer Memorial Scholarship provides scholarships to students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate studies at college or university. Disbursements will be made directly to the educational institution. Application at  https://www.pittsburgh.goarch.org/scholarships   Due August 1, 2025.


NANNY NEEDED

A full-time nanny is sought by a parish family. 

For more information , please contact the church office. 

[email protected] 

 


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Saints and Feasts

July 27

Panteleimon the Great Martyr & Healer

This Saint, who had Nicomedia as his homeland, was the son of Eustorgius and Eubula. His father was an idolater, but his mother was a Christian from her ancestors. It was through her that he was instructed in piety, and still later, he was catechized in the Faith of Christ by Saint Hermolaus (see July 26) and baptized by him. Being proficient in the physician's vocation, he practiced it in a philanthropic manner, healing every illness more by the grace of Christ than by medicines. Thus, although his parents had named him Pantoleon ("in all things a lion"), because of the compassion he showed for the souls and bodies of all, he was worthily renamed Panteleimon, meaning "all-merciful." On one occasion, when he restored the sight of a certain blind man by calling on the Divine Name, he enlightened also the eyes of this man's soul to the knowledge of the truth. This also became the cause for the martyrdom of him who had been blind, since when he was asked by whom and in what manner his eyes had been opened, in imitation of that blind man of the Gospel he confessed with boldness both who the physician was and the manner of his healing. For this he was put to death immediately. Panteleimon was arrested also, and having endured many wounds, he was finally beheaded in the year 305, during the reign of Maximian. Saint Panteleimon is one of the Holy Unmercenaries, and is held in special honor among them, even as Saint George is among the Martyrs.


July 28

Irene the Righteous of Chrysovalantou

Saint Irene, who was from Cappadocia, flourished in the ninth century. Because of her great beauty and virtue, she was brought to Constantinople as a prospective bride for the young Emperor Michael (842-867); however, as Saint Joannicius the Great foretold, it was God's will that she assume the monastic habit instead. She shone forth in great ascetical labours, and suffered many attacks from the demons; while yet a novice, she attained to the practice of Saint Arsenius the Great, of praying the whole night long with arms stretched out towards Heaven (see May 8). God showed forth great signs and wonders in her, and she became the Abbess of the Convent of Chrysovalantou. She was granted the gift of clairvoyance and knew the thoughts of all that came to her. She appeared in a vision to the king and rebuked him for unjustly imprisoning a nobleman who had been falsely accused. Through a sailor from Patmos to whom he had appeared, Saint John the Evangelist sent her fragrant and wondrous apples from Paradise. She reposed at the age of 103, still retaining the youthful beauty of her countenance. After her repose, marvelous healings beyond number have been wrought by her to the present day.


July 29

Holy Virgin Martyr Theodota

Concerning Saint Theodota, little is known except that she was a virgin who was horribly tormented and slain for her confession of Christ.


July 30

Silas & Silvanos the Apostles of the 70

Saint Silas was a companion and fellow labourer of the Apostle Paul: "And Paul chose Silas and departed...and he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches" (Acts 15:40-41). He later became Bishop of Corinth, and reposed in peace. Saint Silvanos became Bishop of Thessalonica, and also reposed in peace. Saint Crescents, whom Saint Paul mentions in his Second Epistle to Timothy(4:10), became Bishop of Chalcedon, and brought many to the Faith. As for him whom the Apostle of the Nations praises as "my well-beloved Epenetus, the first-fruits of Achaia unto Christ" (Roman 16:5), he became Bishop of Carthage, and after enduring many afflictions from the idolators, and bringing many of them to Christ, he departed to the Lord.


July 31

Joseph the Righteous of Arimathea

Saint Joseph of Arimathea was a prominent Jewish leader during the time of Jesus Christ. He is mentioned in the Gospels as being a rich man from Arimathea who was a secret disciple of Christ due to his status in the Sanhedrin. After the crucifixion and death of our Lord, Joseph approached Pontius Pilate out of piety and asked for the body of Jesus so that he might bury it honorably. He, together with Saint Nicodemus, removed the body of Christ from the cross in the presence of the Theotokos and the Myrrh-Bearing Women, wrapped it in a linen shroud, anointed it with spices, and laid it in a new tomb that he owned. This disciple later traveled the world proclaiming the Gospel until he reposed in peace in England. The Church commemorates him individually on July 31st and along with the Myrrh-Bearing Women and Nicodemus on the 3rd Sunday of Pascha (the Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-Bearers).


August 01

The Holy Seven Maccabees, Eleazar the Martyr

The names of the Holy Maccabees are Abim, Anthony, Guria, Eleazar, Eusebona, Achim, and Marcellus. They were Jews by race and exact keepers of the Laws of the Fathers. They lived during the reign of Antiochus, who was surnamed Epiphanes ("Illustrious"), the King of Syria and an implacable enemy of the Jews. Having subjugated their whole nation and done many evil things to them, not sparing to assail the most sacred matters of their Faith, he constrained them, among other things, to partake of swine's flesh, which was forbidden by the Law. Then these pious youths, on being apprehended together with their mother and their teacher, were constrained to set at nought the Law, and were subjected to unspeakable tortures: wrackings, the breaking of their bones, the flaying of their flesh, fire, dismemberment, and such things as only a tyrant's mind and a bestial soul is able to contrive. But when they had endured all things courageously and showed in deed that the mind is sovereign over the passions and is able to conquer them if it so desires, they gloriously ended their lives in torments, surrendering their life for the sake of the observance of the divine Law. The first to die was their teacher Eleazar, then all the brethren in the order of their age. As for their wondrous mother Solomone, "filled with a courageous spirit, and stirring up her womanish thoughts with a manly wrath" (II Macc. 7:21), she was present at her children's triumph over the tyrant, strengthening them in their struggle for the sake of their Faith, and enduring stout-heartedly their sufferings for the sake of their hope in the Lord. After her last and youngest son had been perfected in martyrdom, when she was about to be seized to be put to death, she cast herself into the fire that they might not touch her, and was thus deemed worthy of a blessed end together with her sons, in the year 168 before Christ.


August 01

Elesa the Righteous-Martyr of Kythira

 

Elesa was the daughter of Eladios and lived in the Peloponnese. in the latter half of the 4th century.  When she became a Christian her father, who was an idolator, strongly objected. When her father demanded that she marry a young man of his choice, she secretly fled to the island of Kythira to begin a life as a nun.

Her father did not relent but hunted her down. In her attempt to escape from him, she begged God to open the earth in order to hide from her father as she fled to the mountains of Kythira. As she reached the top of the mountain she found a crack in the mountain into which she climbed, only to find her father waiting for her. Her father forced her to endure horrible tortures in his effort to get her to deny her faith and return to his beliefs. Finally, in the year 375, having been unable to get St. Elesa to recant her Christian faith, her father Eladios whipped Elesa and hanged her on a carob tree before he decapitated her.

In time , the Monastery of Agia Elesa dedicated to her memory, was established at the mountain site of her martyrdom on the island of Kythira. The Katholikon of the monastery is also dedicated to her. The grave of St. Elesa is located in the yard of the monastery.


August 02

Phocas the Martyr

Saint Phocas was a gardener in a small village on the south coast of the Black Sea. He lived a simple life, carrying out acts of piety and love for all around him, even serving the pagans of the village, some of who left their ways and followed Christ. The local governor heard of this and sent soldiers to kill him. The saint stumbled upon these very soldiers and, without disclosing his name, ministered to them by receiving them into his home, feeding them, and giving them rest. That night he dug a grave for himself in his garden and prepared for all his possessions to be given away after his death.

The next morning, Phocas disclosed to the soldiers that it was he whom they were seeking to kill. The soldiers were distraught, not wanting to kill the saint who had shown them so much kindness. Phocas insisted that they must carry out their mission as he willingly laid his head beneath the sword. They proceeded to execute him and then bury him in the grave he dug in his garden. The site later became a source of miracles, and eventually a Church was erected upon it. Saint Phocas is frequently invoked for those who travel by sea. His life was recorded by Saint Asterius of Amasia (see October 10th).


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