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St. Demetrios Church
Publish Date: 2017-04-23
Bulletin Contents
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Parish Announcements
Saints and Feasts
Wisdom of the Fathers
Hymns of the Day
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. James A. Doukas

440-331-2246 x1

Office Manager Eleni Papouras-Jenks

sdgoc@ohiocoxmail.com | 440-331-2246 x2

Operations Manager Nick Hillman

activitycenternick@yahoo.com | 440-331-2246 x3

Fr. Anastasios Athanasiou
Assistant Priest

asathanasiou@gmail.com | 440-331-2246 x5

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. Fourth Mode. Psalm 146.5;134.3.
Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 12:1-11.

ABOUT THAT TIME, Herod the king laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword; and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison; but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the Church.

The very night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison; and behold, an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, "Wrap your mantle around you and follow me." And he went out and followed him; he did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened to them of its own accord, and they went out and passed on through one street; and immediately the angel left him. And Peter came to himself, and said, "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting."

Gospel Reading

Thomas Sunday
The Reading is from John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe."

Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said: "Peace be with you." Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to Him: "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

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Parish Announcements

PARISH SCHEDULE

SUNDAY

4/23

8:30; 9:30   a.m.

Orthros; Divine Liturgy; Sunday School

MONDAY

4/24

9:00 a.m.

Making Souzoukakia

TUESDAY

4/25

9:30 a.m.

5:00 p.m.

Bible Study

Greek School

WEDNESDAY

4/26

 

 

THURSDAY

4/27

5:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Greek School

Kyklonas Hellenic Dancers

FRIDAY

4/28

 

 

SATURDAY

4/29

 

Oratorical Festival Regional Round (Mansfield)

 


ST. GEORGE FEASTDAY

Fri., April 21, Vespers at 7 p.m. followed by coffee offered by  Platanos Society.  

Sun., April 23, regular services, followed by Coffee hour celebrating  Georges & Georgias. Those celebrating their nameday invited to bring something to share for the coffee hour .


GREEK LANGUAGE FESTIVAL

Sat., April 22 keep our Greek School teachers & students in your prayers as they travel to Pittsburgh to the attend the annual Metropolis Greek Language Festival and represent our parish school.  


OPA!

CULTURE FEST Sat., April 22, the Kyklonas Hellenic Dancers will represent Greece at the annual Culture Fest of Lake Ridge Academy, Center Ridge Road. Performance at 1:30 p.m.

 The Kyklonas Dancers have resume rehearsals in the hall 6:45-7:30 p.m. Thursdays.  


FESTIVAL PREP

 April 24  (Souzoukakia);  May 1*-2 (Spanakopita);  May 8*-9 (Tiropita)

*Please note that Mondays, May 1st  & 8th  are evening cooking sessions starting at 4 p.m. Those who are unavailable during the day, are encouraged to come help these evenings. No experience necessary!  Save the Dates for the Greek Festival: June 22-25.

 


VETERAN PHOTO COLLAGE

Sun., May 21, we plan on completing the Veteran Photo  Collage project which was begun last Veterans’ Day, with a special blessing. The frame has been mounted on the wall outside the Board Room and we will be installing the photos of our parish veterans which were submitted.  This is the last opportunity to include your or a loved one’s photo IN UNIFORM for the collage. Please submit via email or hard copy (which can be scanned) to the office by Sun., April 30.


PHILOPTOCHOS @ ST HERMANS

Every month, our Philoptochos cooks and serves dinner for St Herman’s.  Our next visit will be Tuesday, May 2. Please look at Perfect Potluck to sign up for a food item.  The link is: http://www.perfectpotluck.com/meals.php?t=IVOR4393

Thank you for your generosity!  Questions? Contact Maggie Steffas at msteffas@roadunner.com


STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY

May 7,  Parish Council welcomes all to a complimentary Pancake Breakfast in the hall, following Liturgy to say ‘thank you’ to those who have pledged for 2017 and give everyone else a chance to do so.


MOTHER'S DAY CELEBRATION

Sun., May 14 Honor your mother, grandmother, godmother, sister, or aunt with a gift to Philoptochos. A printed program will be distributed in Church honoring all individuals remembered by loved ones both living and deceased,  and a special memorial service honoring the beloved Mothers of our community will also take place. See the April Epistle the donation form.


CLASS OF 2017

High school, college and or post-grads invited to submit your photo & short bio for The Epistle Graduation issue. Send by May 15th  to: sdgoc@ohiocoxmail.com High School seniors, save the date of Sun., June 11 for a special blessing after Divine Liturgy.


UPDATED PARISH DIRECTORY

Are you finding a lot of outdated phone numbers and addresses in your most recent church directory? Does your ‘most recent’ photo show your college age children as babies? Does the outfit you’re wearing look really dated? Then its time for a new Parish Photo Directory! Photographers from Lifetouch will be here at St. Demetrios on the following dates to hold one-hour photo sessions for parishioners:

Mon., May 22 - Wed., May 24 and Tue., May 30- Fri., June 2 at 2:00-9:00 p.m.

Sat., June 3, 10 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. and Sun., June 4, Noon-7:00 p.m.

Families who participate will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait and directory. See Diane Missirlis today during coffee and sign up for your session or to volunteer on the Photo Directory Committee.


ASIA MINOR HERITAGE

Researchers from the University of Florida are interested in interviewing the descendants of immigrants from Asia Minor, Eastern Thrace, Imbros, Tenedos, the Marmara or Princes’ Islands for the Ottoman Greeks of the United States Project. OGUS is looking for interviews, photographs, and 3D scans of objects that immigrants brought with them to the U.S. George Topalidis of the U. of Fla will be in Ohio next month and can be contacted at 727-207-0623 or oguso424@gmail.com


EVENTS ELSEWHERE

 TRANON HORON Sat., April 29, Greek Pontian Dance at Annunciation Hall, 2187 W. 14th St., Cleveland. 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Live music by Karizma with  Kostas Papadopoulos & Giorgos Michailidis on lira & daouli. Dance performances at 8:30 p.m. $35/adult; $15 for 21 & under; free 12 & under, includes dinner. Cash bar. For tickets, call Emmanuel Ermidis (216-323-4092.)

 FR. DEAN DIMON ANNIVERSARY  Sat., May 6, Annunciation Church, is celebrating their priest’s 25th anniversary of Ordination with dinner, music & dancing and memories in their Cultural Hall, 2187 W. 14th St., Cleveland. $50/adult, $25 for children 4-10 years old.; free for under 3 years old.  RSVP to Jane Sevastors (440-230-9661 or jsevastors@sbcglobal.net) by Wed., April 26. Proceeds to fund the beautification of Annunciation. 

LUNG WALK Sat., May 14, the American Lung Association  annual walk kicks off  at 10:00am from Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica in the Flats.   No registration fee and ample free parking. Contact Elaine Campbell at (440) 779-0640 for more information.

ZOE!  NEEDS YOU  We have created a ZOE Women’s Center Medical Committee to help us move forward with our plans to expand the services we offer women in distress due to unplanned pregnancies.  Some of these services are parenting classes, abortion healing classes, child raising classes, as well as offering some limited obstetrical ultrasounds, pre-natal vitamins and referrals to doctors for obstetrical care to abortion-vulnerable women. If you have a few hours a week, and can volunteer to be a Client Advocate, Receptionist,          Sonographer, Nurse, community Coordinator, Fund Raiser,    Medical Assistant, Physicians Assistant, Administrative Assistant  WE NEED YOU!  Contact Despina at:  despina@mavrakisfamily.com

 IOCC 25TH ANNIVERSARY  Fri., June 9, the International Orthodox Christian Charities Cleveland Metropolitan Committee celebrates 25 years of worldwide humanitarian assistance with a benefit at Embassy Suites Hotel, 5800 Rockside Rd., Independence. Guest Speaker His Grace Bishop Irinej. Cocktails at 6 p.m.; Dinner at 7 p.m. $50/person. Reservations required by May 29 by contacting Eleni in the church office. Sponsorship also available.

KIDNEY WALK, Sun., June 11, 9 a.m., the National Kidney Foundation annual walk from the Great Lakes Science Center along Lake Erie.  No registration fee, $5 parking by the venue, complimentary breakfast and DJ all morning!  Walk in honor or memory of someone afflicted with kidney disease. Contact Anna Tzinis at (440) 241-6780 or register at www.kidneywalk.org

 


SCHOLARSHIPS

 Local

 -Dean Nakis Memorial Scholarship  $1000available to  college students who are members of a NE Ohio Greek Orthodox Church. Applications in the church office. Deadline is May 1, 2017

 -Fotinos Memorial Scholarship Available to St. Demetrios students in the health care field.   Applications in the church office. Deadline is May 5, 2017

 -Nafpaktian Cultural Foundation  Awarding $500 scholarships to High School Seniors and to        College students who are of Greek ancestry and permanent residents of Northeast Ohio.  Deadline June 30, 2017. Download at: http://nafpaktian.org/index.php/non-vis/scholarships/

            

AHEPA/ Daughters of Penelope

-AHEPA Chapter 389 / Daughters of Penelope Icarus Chapter  Available for graduating high school seniors whose families are members of AHEPA/DOP or St. Demetrios.   Applications  now available in the church office. Deadline is April 30, 2017.

-Daughters of Penelope National Scholarship Available to women who are or have a family   member in AHEPA/D.O.P. Deadline May 1, 2017 . Application in the office and at              http://www.daughtersofpenelope.org/pdfs/National_Scholarship_Application.pdf

-John M. Manos Cleveland AHEPA Chapter 36    Awarded to graduating high school seniors (Class of' '17) of Greek descent. Applications available in the church office. Deadline is May 13, 2017.

-Zoe Cavalaris Outstanding Female Athlete Award  Available to women of Hellenic descent  in high school or college who excelled in amateur athletics during the Aug. 1, 2016-     June 1, 2017 school year. Deadline June 1, 2017.  Application in the church office and   at  www.daughtersofpenelope.org/pdfs/Zoe_Cavalaris_Application.pdf

 

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese

- The Gioles and Malta Scholarships for undergrads.

-The Paleologos Scholarship for Grad  students. Deadline for both is May 1,   2017. Download at www.goarch.org/archdiocese/administration/chancellor/2017

-UN Fellowship The Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations of the  Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is inviting graduate and recent post-graduate  students to apply for one of two stipend fellowships at the United Nations. For details go  to un.goarch.org/fellowship. The deadline is May 15, 2017.

 

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Saints and Feasts

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April 23

George the Great Martyr and Triumphant

George, this truly great and glorious Martyr of Christ, was born of a father from Cappadocia and a mother from Palestine. Being a military tribune, or chiliarch (that is, a commander of a thousand troops), he was illustrious in battle and highly honoured for his courage. When he learned that the Emperor Diocletian was preparing a persecution of the Christians, Saint George presented himself publicly before the Emperor and denounced him. When threats and promises could not move him from his steadfast confession, he was put to unheard-of tortures, which he endured with great bravery, overcoming them by his faith and love towards Christ. By the wondrous signs that took place in his contest, he guided many to the knowledge of the truth, including Queen Alexandra, wife of Diocletian, and was finally beheaded in 296 in Nicomedia.

His sacred remains were taken by his servant from Nicomedia to Palestine, to a town called Lydda, the homeland of his mother, and then were finally transferred to the church which was raised up in his name. (The translation of the Saint's holy relics to the church in Lydda is commemorated on November 3; Saint Alexandra the Queen, on April 21.)

If April 23 falls on or before Great and Holy Pascha, the Feast of St. George is translated to Bright Monday.

April 24

Elizabeth the Wonderworker

Saint Elizabeth was born in Heraclea of Thrace. She lived in virginity and exhausted herself with ascetical labours and every kind of hardship from the time of her youth, and was deemed worthy of the grace of wonderworking from God; she reposed in peace in Constantinople in the middle of the fifth century.

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April 25

Mark the Apostle and Evangelist

Mark was an idolater from Cyrene of Pentapolis, which is near Libya. Having come to the Faith of Christ through the Apostle Peter, he followed him to Rome. While there, at the prompting of Peter himself and at the request of the Christians living there, he wrote his Gospel in Greek, and it is second in order after Matthew's. Afterwards, travelling to Egypt, he preached the Gospel there and was the first to establish the Church in Alexandria. The idolaters, unable to bear his preaching, seized him, bound him with ropes, and dragged him through the streets until he, cut to pieces on rocks, gave up his soul. It is said that he completed his life in martyrdom about the year 68. He is depicted in holy icons with a lion next to him, one of the living creatures mentioned by Ezekiel (1:10), and a symbol of Christ's royal office, as Saint Irenaeus of Lyons writes.

If April 25 falls on or before Great and Holy Pascha, the Feast of St. Mark is translated to Bright Tuesday.

April 26

Basil the Holy Martyr Bishop of Amasea

This Saint was Bishop of Amasia in Pontus, in the days of Licinius (reigned 308-324), fellow Emperor and brother-in-law of Saint Constantine the Great. Licinius' wife Constantia, sister of Saint Constantine, had as handmaid a virgin named Glaphyra. When it became known that Licinius had conceived a sinful desire for her. Constantia secretly sent Glaphyra away to the East. Coming to Amasia, she took refuge with Saint Basileus. When Licinius learned of this, he furiously commanded that both be brought before him. When the soldiers came for them, however, Saint Glaphyra had already departed to the Lord; she is also commemorated this day. Saint Basileus was taken alone to Nicomedia, where he was beheaded. His body was cast into the sea, but through divine revelation was found again and brought back to Amasia.

April 27

The Holy Hieromartyr Symeon, Kinsman of the Lord

Symeon was a first cousin of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was the son of Clopas (or Cleopas, also called Alphaeus), the brother of Joseph the Betrothed. He became the second Bishop of Jerusalem, as a successor to James the Brother of God. He ended his life when he was crucified during the reign of Trajan, in 107, at the age of 120.

April 28

The Holy Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus

These holy Martyrs, who were from various regions, suffered martyrdom together when they were beheaded in Cyzicus, a city in Asia Minor on the southern coast of the Sea of Marmara.

Jason
April 29

Jason and Sosipater the Apostles of the 70 and their Companions

Both of these Saints were disciples of the Apostle Paul, who mentions them in his Epistle to the Romans, saying: "Jason and Sosipater my kinsmen greet you" (16:21). Jason was from Tarsus of Cilicia, and became bishop there. Sosipater was from Patras of Achaia, and became Bishop of Iconium. When they had shepherded their churches well for a long time, they departed west that they might profit others also, and arrived finally at the island of Corfu, where they were the first to preach the Gospel to its people. They suffered many things for Christ's Name, drew many souls to salvation, and finished the course of their life there. In the ancient city of Corfu, a church from the first centuries, built in their honour and bearing inscriptions that mention the Saints by name, verifies the historical account concerning them.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

For great is the dignity of the priests. ... And hold them very exceedingly in honor; for you indeed care about your own affairs, and if you order them well, you give no account for others; ...
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 86, 4th Century

... but the priest even if he rightly order his own life, if he have not an anxious care for yours and that of all those around him, will depart with the wicked into hell; and often when not betrayed by his own conduct, he perishes by yours, if he have not rightly performed all his part.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 86, 4th Century

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Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Mode

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America


Apolytikion for Thomas Sun. in the Grave Mode

Whilst the tomb was sealed, Thou, O Life, didst shine forth from the grave, O Christ God; and whilst the doors were shut, Thou didst come unto Thy disciples, O Resurrection of all, renewing through them an upright Spirit in us according to Thy great mercy.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA


Apolytikion for Great Martyr George in the Fourth Mode

Liberator of captives, defender of the poor, physician of the sick, and champion of kings, O trophy-bearer, Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA


Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press - Northridge, CA


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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

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Archiepiscopal Encyclical on Holy Pascha 2017

04/15/2017

On this glorious Feast of Feasts that is filled with the transcendent light and unsurpassable joy of the Lord’s Resurrection, I proclaim with you, my beloved people, the exclamation of victory, Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!
https://www.goarch.org/-/archiepiscopal-encyclical-on-holy-pascha-2017

Archbishop Demetrios to Deliver Lecture at the University of Notre Dame

04/18/2017

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios Geron of America has been invited to deliver the 2017 Tantur Lecture at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana on the subject: “Exegetical Creativity: St. Basil's Nine Homilies on the Creation of the Universe.”
https://www.goarch.org/-/archbishop-demetrios-to-deliver-lecture-at-the-university-of-notre-dame
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