Fri., Sept. 5,  5:30-7:00 p.m. HOPE/JOY kids (ages 4-11) & families invited to Clague Park in Westlake. RSVP by Sept 2 to Marina Papafil [email protected]

 Fr. Tom Drenen will celebrate the Liturgy on Sept. 7 & 14. Fr. Andy returns on Sept. 15. 

Sunday, September 7 , In the Cultural Hall after Divine Liturgy.

Walk the perimeter of the hall to get treats by visiting the ministries’ booths and learn how YOU can get involved this year:

BACK TO SCHOOL Registration now open. Forms available at www.saintdemetriosrr.org and at the Ministry Fair

Sunday School begins on September 7.  Free for children of parishioners, ages 4 to Grade 12.

Balourdas Hellenic Cultural School  Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:00-6:30 p.m. See registration for tiered tuition costs. Open to children who are in Grade 1 or above of their day school. Our complete curriculum offers instruction in speaking, reading and writing modern Greek, Music, Greek Orthodoxy and History from Level Alpha to Level Theta.  Graduates eligible for scholarship and may be eligible for credits toward graduation. Contact [email protected] 

We also offer an optional class for Kindergarteners that meets just on Thursdays from 5-6:30 p.m.

-Thu., Sept. 11-Agiasmsos and Orientation, 5:00-6:00 p.m. Parents and students should meet in the church for the blessing. An ice cream social will follow for the children in the hall and parents’ meeting in the Board Room.

- Tue, Sept. 16, 5:00-6:30 p.m. First day of classes

- Adult & Teen Classes (12 weeks):

-Saints, Sinners and Soldiers – Hold on to your hats for a whirlwind survey class on Byzantine History from Alexander to the fall of Constantinople. Taught in English, but supplemental reading materials at the intermediate level of modern Greek, will be available upon request for those who wish to also improve their Greek reading skills.  Tuesdays 7:00-8:00 p.m. starting Sept. 16.

-Beginners Greek I – Learn the basics of reading, writing and speaking Modern Greek. No previous instruction required. Class will continue into the 2nd semester.  Thursdays at 7:00 -8:30 p.m. starting Sept. 18.

GOYA is preparing to welcome back teens in grades 7-12. Save the dates for:

Sept. 7 - Car wash after Church

Sept. 14 - GOYA & parents kick off meeting

Oct. 5 - Officers swearing-in

To learn more about joining GOYA, contact advisor Lia Fresty (330-715-1704 or [email protected]) 

Monday, Sept. 8 in the Zapis Activity Center, NOTE TIME CHANGE: 5:00-5:30 p.m. Aerobic exercise done to fun Greek music led by certified instructor Ari Fine. $5 or 6 sessions for $28 (doesn’t expire!)  Multiple payment methods available. Contact the office for more info. All welcome and bring a friend!

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

Daughters of Penelope invites you to include “Ariadne”  by Jennifer Saint (pub. 2021) on  your summer reading list. The book is available at the Cuyahoga County Public Library, Westlake’s Porter Library, and Rocky River Public Library, as well as local bookstores and Audio. Then on Wed., Sept. 10, at 6 p.m.  we will meet at Melted Wings, 4861 Broadview Rd., Cleveland , a  local urban winery inspired by an ancient Greek story to discuss this ancient Greece story! Even if you don’t finish the novel, come enjoy the wine!  For more info, contact Eleni ([email protected])

Any ministry or family that can host coffee hour on Sept. 14, 21 or 28, please use the Sign-up Genius on the church’s Facebook group or contact the office.

Sept 15, 6:00 p.m. A Touch of Spice (Πολίτικη Κουζίνα)  

(2003, 1 hour & 48 minutes) This year is the 70th anniversary of  the September 1955 pogrom against the Greek community  of Constantinople, orchestrated by the Turkish government. (“Τα Σεπτεμβριανά”) After the violent attacks on lives and properties, a Greek family flees for a new life in Greece, where a young boy keeps alive memories of his grandfather thru food. Based on the real-life experiences of Tassos Boulmetis, writer/director of this award-winning and highest-grossing Greek movie of all time. In Greek and Turkish, with English subtitles. It will be screened in the GOYA room. Rated R for adult situations.

The Kyklonas Hellenic Dancers will kick-off the fall season with rehearsals on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. in the Cultural Hall, starting Sept. 17. We are preparing for shows on:

Sat., Sept 27 - 2:30 p.m. International Festival at St Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Fairview Park

Nov. 14-16 - MEtropolis of Pittsburgh Greek Folk Dance Festival (registration info will be available at rehearsals.) 

We have resumed meeting on 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 thru Amazon.

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.

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

OTHER GREEK FESTIVALS 

·        Sept. 5-6: Gyro drive thru at ST Nicholas Church, 2000 Tower Blvd., Lorain

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

·   Sept. 5-6:  Sts. Constantine & Helen CHurch, 265 W. 3rd ST., Mansfield, OH. Music by Stigma. 

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

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

GREEK NIGHT Sun., Sept. 7, 5-10 p.m. at 49^th Street Tavern. 4129 E. 49^th St., Newburgh Heights. Live music by Karizma Band and Nikolas Charinos.

EASTERN ORTHODOX WOMEN’S GUILD Sat., Sept. 13, 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 6822 Broadview Rd., Parma. Assembly of IOCC Kid’s school kits. Learn about the plans for the new ecclesiastic year. Bring a friend and receive a small gift.

CHIOS PICNIC  Sat., Sept. 13,  at St. Sava Picnic Pavilion, 2151 W. Wallings Rd., Broadview Heights. $10/adult; $5/child, ages 6-10; free under 5; at the door.  Last names A-L bring a side dish; M-Z- bring a dessert. Fundraiser to benefit the firefighters in Chios and forest fire relief efforts.

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])

ST. KYRANNA COOKING CLASS Sat., Sept. 13 at Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral, 3352 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Heights. Young Adults (21 & up) invited to Vespers at 5 p.m. followed by a cooking class (recipe tba) Bring your favorite bottle of wine and/or board game.

PONTIAN PANOIR Sat., Sept. 20 starting at 5 p.m. at St. Sava Picnic Grove, 2506 W. Ridgewood Dr, Parma. Dancing to live music by Dimitri Stefanidis & Sokratis Togridis. $20 entrance fee; Kids under 12 free. Greek food & drinks available for sale. For tickets, call Manoli Ermidis 216-323-4092

NESTORIO CENTENNIAL Sun., Sept. 21, the Nestorio Philanthropic Association invites those who trace their heritage to the villages of Kastoria to celebrate the club’s 100^th anniversary in Ohio! Picnic at the Metroparks’ Chestnut Shelter, 2944 River Rd., Willoughby Hills, starting at 11:30 a.m. RSVP at: https://nestorio.org/picnic

METROPOLIS OF PITTSBURGH CLERGY-LAITY Thu., Sept. 25 – Sat., Sept. 27 Clergy, Laity, Religious Educator, & Youth Worker Assembly at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 555 N High St, Columbus, OH. Each parish may send 4 voting delegates (Priest, Council President, 2 elected lay delegates) to Assembly.  For the Youth Worker Meetings: Anyone responsible for the care of youth, including Youth Workers, GOYA Advisors, and JOY/Hope advisors, and religious educators interested in attending; any non-voting observers as are interested. Contact the church office for more info, if you would like to represent our parish.

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]

Sun., Oct. 12 in St Demetrios Cultural Hall, to benefit Research in Neuroendocrine Cancer, sponsored by the Dean Paras Foundation. Anyone who would like to volunteer or get more information, contact Jeanne at [email protected]

It’s time for an updated parish directory! Universal Church Directories will have photography sessions at St Demetrios GOYA room 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.  Everyone photographed will receive a free 8x10 portrait and a copy of the directory. The more people who participate, the more credits our parish will receive for various upgrades, so feel free to invite non-parish friends and family (even if they will not be part of the directory.) To schedule your time slot,  go to www.ucdir.com and use Church Code: OH2842 and Password: photos  

Please make sure that we have your updated contact information via your 2025 pledge card, or let Eleni in the church office know if you prefer to be unlisted.

Save the dates: 

Fri., Oct. 24 for a Glendi celebrating our parish's 65th Anniversary. Reunite with your parish family, classmates and friends! Music by Stigma. Tickets on sale soon.

Sat., Oct. 25 - 6:00 p.m. Vespers for St. Demetrios

Sun., Oct. 26 - 8:20 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy for St. Demetrios; feastday luncheon to follow, sponsored by Philoptochos. Tickets on sale in September. 

Wednesdays 9-11 a.m.

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