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St. Demetrios Church
Publish Date: 2025-08-03
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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 28.11,1.
The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 1:10-17.

Brethren, I appeal to you by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brethren. What I mean is that each one of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispos and Gaius; lest any one should say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any one else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.


Gospel Reading

8th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 14:14-22

At that time, Jesus saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves." Jesus said, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." They said to him, "We have only five loaves here and two fish." And he said, "Bring them here to me." Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.


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Parish Announcements

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

SUNDAY

8/3

8:20; 9:30 a.m.

Orthros; Divine Liturgy

MONDAY

8/4

6:00 p.m.

              

Movie Monday

Sunday School teacher mtg.

TUESDAY

8/5

5:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

All-Ministry Calendar meeting

Vespers for Transfiguration

WEDNESDAY

8/6

8:20; 9:30 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

Transfiguration of our Savior, Orthros; D/L

Paraclesis

THURSDAY

8/7

10: 30 a.m.

Prayer Group

FRIDAY

8/8

6:00 p.m.

Paraclesis

 


BABY BLESSING

40-DAY BLESSING  Mary, daughter of Paul & Anne Marie Dormas.


FELLOWSHIP CUP

Thanks to the Choir for hosting the Coffee Hour on Aug. 3rd.

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

On Sun. Aug. 17, those who celebrate their nameday on Aug. 15 are invited to bring a plate of treats to the coffee hour.


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: Wednesdays & Fridays, 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.

 

·         St. Phanourios: Wednesday, Aug. 27.  If offering a Phanouropita, bring by 9:30 a.m.

·         The Beheading of St. John the Baptist:  Friday, Aug. 29

Orthros 8:20 a.m.; Divine Liturgy  9:30 a.m. for both saints’ services.


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.

 


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!


ORTHODOX BOOK STUDY

We resume meeting on Aug. 13 (Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. in the library.) We will be discussing 6 Hours, 7 Lessons: How Christ’s Light Transcends Our Darkness by Rev. Nicholas and Dr. Roxanne Louh. You can purchase a copy in our Catacomb Bookstore. 


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 

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

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

·         Aug. 29- Sept. 1:  Annunciation Cathedral, 555 N. High St., Columbus. $5 admission or $10 weekend pass. For more info: Columbusgreekfestival.com

·         Sept. 5-7:  Holy Trinity Cathedral, 740 Superior St., Toledo. For info: Toledogreekfest.com

·         Sept. 18-20:  Annunciation Church, 129 S. Union St., Akron. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., daily

 

ROMANIAN FESTIVAL Aug. 15-17, at St Mary Romanian Orthodox Church, 3256 Warren Rd., Cleveland (West Park.) For more info: www.smroc.org

GOMOPALOOZA Sat., Aug. 23, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. at St. Demetrios Community Center, 3323 Atlantic St. NE, Warren, Ohio. Musicians from throughout the Metropolis of Pittsburgh, games, crafts and activities for kids throughout the day. Bring the family!  Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Chris Kellamis (330-605-5260.)

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.


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

August 03

Isaacius, Dalmatus, & Faustus, Ascetics of the Dalmation Monastery

Of these, Saint Isaacius is celebrated also on May 30. He became a monk at an early age and was a worker of every virtue; a zealot for the Orthodox Faith, he was also deemed worthy of the gift of prophecy. The Saint dwelt in a small hut near Constantinople. When Valens the Arian marched against the Goths, who were at the Danube River, this righteous one went out himself to meet the Emperor and, taking in hand the reins of the Emperor's horse, said to him with boldness that God had incited the barbarians to come against him, since he himself had incited many to speak against God in blasphemy, and had driven God's true worshippers out of the divine houses of prayer. Furthermore, he told him, if he ceased fighting against God by means of heresy and returned the good shepherds (that is, the Orthodox bishops) to the flock of Christ, he would easily gain the victory over his enemies. However, if he did not desist from these things, nor have God as his ally, at the very outset of the battle both he and his army would certainly be destroyed. "Learn from experience," he said, "that it is hard to kick against the pricks. Thou shalt not return, and this expedition will be destroyed." But the Emperor became angry and had the righteous one locked in prison that he might punish him and put him to death on his return after he conquered the barbarians. But he was utterly defeated and was burned alive in a certain village in the year 378 (Theodoret of Cyrrhus, Eccl. Hist., ch. 4: 31-32). When his surviving soldiers returned from the war, wishing to tempt the Saint, they came to him and said, "Prepare to make thy defense before the Emperor, who is coming to fulfil what he spoke against thee." But the Saint answered, "It has already been seven days that I smelled the stink of his bones, which were burned in the fire." Thus the righteous one was released from prison. All marveled because of his prophecy, and he became even more wondrous by means of the zeal he displayed in behalf of Orthodoxy in 381, when the Second Ecumenical Council was convoked. After this, a monastery was built in Constantinople for him, and he piously shepherded those struggling with him in asceticism. Having served as an example of the monastic life for them, he reposed in peace about the end of the fourth century, leaving Dalmatus as his successor.

As for Saint Dalmatus, he was at first a soldier in the second division of the soldiers known as the Scholarii. Later, however, he forsook all things and taking his son Faustus, went to the above-mentioned monastery of Saint Isaacius, where he donned the monastic habit. Through his virtue he became venerable in the sight of all. He was present at the Third Ecumenical Council that was convoked in Ephesus in 431, and there displayed his zeal for Orthodoxy against Nestorius. The Council elected him Archimandrite of the monasteries in Constantinopie. Having lived for more than eighty years, he reposed in the Lord.


August 03

Salome the Holy Myrrhbearer


August 04

Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus

The Seven Youths hid themselves in a certain cave near Ephesus in the year 250, to escape the persecution of Decius. By divine grace, a sleep came upon them and they slept for 184 years, until the reign of Saint Theodosius the Younger, when the doctrine of the resurrection was being assailed by heretics. They then awoke, that is, were resurrected, confirming in the sight of all the bodily resurrection; and again after a short time, by divine command, they reposed in the Lord in the year 434.


August 05

Oswald the Martyr, King of Northumbria

Around 635, King Oswald of Northumbria (an Anglo-Saxon kingdom in northeastern England and southern Scotland) appealed to the monks of Iona to send missionaries to his mostly-pagan kingdom. (An earlier mission of Roman clergy had ended with the martyrdom of St Edwin in 633, so the king appealed to the Celtic monks.) St Aidan was chosen, and consecrated bishop in 635. King Oswald gave him the island Lindisfarne for a monastery and his episcopal seat, from which St. Aidan undertook missionary journeys on foot, throughout the kingdom. King Oswald often accompanied him, serving as an interpreter.

   St Aidan lived in great poverty, using all the gifts he received as alms for the poor, or to free captives and slaves. One Pascha, as King Oswald and Bishop Aidan sat down to bless and eat a meal, a servant informed the king that a large number of poor people were outside, begging for alms. King Oswald ordered that his own food be served to them on silver platters, and that the silver serving dishes then be broken up and distributed to them. Bishop Aidan, deeply moved, took the Oswald’s right hand and said, “May this hand never perish.” According to tradition, St. Oswald’s hand remained incorrupt for centuries after his death. St. Bede wrote that it was kept in St. Peter Church in Bamburgh, but the relic’s present location is unknown.  King Oswald was martyred in battle against the forces of the pagan King Penda on Aug. 5, 642, when he was only 38 years old. 


August 06

Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Our Lord had spoken to His disciples many times not only concerning His Passion, Cross, and Death, but also concerning the coming persecutions and afflictions that they themselves would endure. Since all these evils were near at hand, but the enjoyment of good things which they hoped to receive in their stead was yet to come, our Savior desired to give them full assurance, evidently and openly, concerning that glory which is prepared for those who endure to the end. Therefore, fulfilling that which He had promised shortly before, that "there be some standing here which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in His Kingdom" (Matt. 16:28), He took His three foremost disciples and ascended Mount Tabor, where He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as the light. Suddenly, together with this dread and marvelous effulgence of light, there appeared those pinnacles of the Prophets, Moses and Elias, who spoke with the Lord Jesus concerning His saving Passion which was about to take place. Standing before Him as reverent servants, they showed that He is the Lord of both the living and the dead, for Moses came forth from Hades, having died many centuries before, and Elias, as it were from heaven, whither he had been taken up while yet alive. After a little while a radiant cloud overshadowed them and out of the cloud they heard that same voice which had been heard at the Jordan at the Baptism of Christ, testifying to the Divinity of Jesus and saying: "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well-pleased; hear ye Him" (Matt. 17: 5).

Such are the marvels, truly worthy of God, celebrated in this present feast, which is an image and prefiguring of the future state of the righteous, whose splendor the Lord spoke of, saying: "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun" (Matt. 13:43). It is because of this that the Kontakion of this Feast is said daily (when there is not a great feast) in the Service of the Typica in perpetual commemoration of the glory that will be the lot of the Saints. According to tradition, the Lord's Transfiguration came to pass forty days before His Crucifixion; this is why the Transfiguration is celebrated forty days before the Exaltation of the Cross.


August 07

Dometios the Martyr of Persia & 2 Disciples

This Martyr, who lived during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, was a Persian by race and an idolater by religion. He was catechized by a certain Christian named Abarus. He went to Nisibis, a city of Mesopotamia, where he was baptized and donned the monastic habit in a certain monastery. He afterwards ascended a mountain and there endured in extreme ascetical struggles, working miracles for those that came to him, and converting many unbelievers. Julian the Apostate learned of these things as he was marching against the Persians in 363, and at his command the Saint and his two disciples were stoned to death, as they were chanting the Sixth Hour.


August 08

Holy New Martyr Triantaphillus of Zagoras

He was born in the village of Stara Gora of Bulgaria in 1663 and was a sailor in Zagora, Magnesia. For reasons we do not know, he was pressured by Muslim sailors to embrace Islam in Constantinople. He refused and was beheaded in the Hippodrome on Aug. 8, 1680. He is especially honored in Zagora and Alykes in Volos, Greece. A portion of his relics can be venerated at the Monastery of St. Nicholas in Andros


August 09

Matthias, Apostle of the 70

After Judas by transgression fell from his apostleship (Acts 1: 25), and hanging himself out of despair ended his life with a wretched and shameful death (Matt. 27: 5), then, that the number of the Twelve not be lacking, all the disciples gathered in one place after the Ascension of the Savior (the number of men and women being 120), and they chose two men from among them, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was also surnamed Justus, and Matthias, and they set them in the midst. Then they prayed to God and cast lots, "and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven Apostles" (Acts 1: 15-26). And thus, having taken the place of Judas, Matthias fulfilled the work of apostleship and the prophecy concerning Judas, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David: "And his bishopric let another take" (Ps. 108(109):8). After this, it is said, Matthias preached the Gospel in Ethiopia, and completed his life there in martyrdom.


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