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St. Demetrios Church
Publish Date: 2024-03-31
Bulletin Contents
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Parish Announcements
Saints and Feasts
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News
Wisdom of the Fathers
Hymns of the Day
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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. Andy Lentz


alentz@saintdemetriosrr.org | 440-331-2246 x1

Office Manager Eleni Papouras-Jenks


office@saintdemetriosrr.org | 440-331-2246 x2

Operations Manager Byron T. Spooner


opsmgr@saintdemetriosrr.org | 440-331-2246 x3

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. Second Mode. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 1:10-14; 2:1-3.

IN THE BEGINNING, Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?

Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
The Reading is from Mark 2:1-12

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the paralytic-"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

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Parish Announcements

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

SUNDAY

3/31

8:20; 9:30 a.m.

Orthros; Divine Liturgy; Sunday School

Oratorical Festival

MONDAY

4/1

9:00 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

Moussaka

Movie Monday

TUESDAY

4/2

9:00 a.m.

5:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Moussaka

Greek School

Adult Greek Class

WEDNESDAY

4/3

9:00 a.m.

10:30 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

Pickleball

Book Study Group

Pre Sanctified Liturgy/ Lenten Lecture

THURSDAY

4/4

10:30 a.m.

5:00  p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Prayer Group

Greek School

Choir rehearsal

FRIDAY

4/5

9:00 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

Pickleball

Salutations to the Theotokos

SATURDAY

4/6

5:00  p.m.

FOCUS Friends @ St. Herman’s

SALUTATIONS

Fridays, March 29, April 5, 12, 19 at6 p.m.

 


GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE

The  annual NE Ohio parade will be on Sat., March 30 in Tremont.

Noon  - Doxology in Annunciation Church, 2187 W. 14th St., Cleveland.

1 pm. Kick off from the parking lot. The route will be along W. 11th to Lincoln Park and back up W. 14th.

Post-parade festivities in Annunciation hall.  Grand Marshall comedian Yianni Pappas. 

The Pan-Icarian Brotherhood's annual Independence Day dance will take place at Annunciation ballroom later that evening.  Dance 9:30 a.m. $25 at the door. Live music by Stigma. 


WELCOME!

Archimandrite Porphyrios Fragkakos of St. Catherine Monastery at Mt. Sinai, Egypt, will join us on March 31 to give the homily. Thank you to Fr. Jim Doukas for serving as translator. 

The Archimandrite is visiting Cleveland as part of the upcoming exhibit “Africa and Byzantium.”


MEMORIALS

5 years for DimitrisGiolekas, husband of Helen

1 year for Stelios Theodosion and 27 years for Marianthe, parents of Stephanie Zavatchen

Coming up… April 14: Ladopoulos;    April 21: Richards; Lemanowicz; Diamond


ORATORICAL FESTIVAL

Sun., March 31, after Liturgy, parishioners are invited to remain in the church for the annual public speaking competition. Students will present inspiring speeches which they wrote. 


STEWARDSHIP COFFEE HOUR

The Stewardship COmmittee is hosting coffee hour on Sunday.

We also encourage you to get current with your stewardship by making a formal pledge to our beloved community and ask you to consider what pledge may be worthy to best support our ministries. All faithful stewards in good standing by April 15 will be recognized in the May Epistle. Thank you!

 


FESTIVAL PREPARATIONS

April 1-2: Moussaka

April 15-16: Spanakopita (note on Mon., April 15, there are morning AND evening work sessions)


MOVIE MONDAY

 This year’s film series explores thewording and application of the 10 Commandments. II Commandment says “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the 7th day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.” 

April 1, 6:00 p.m. The Bishop’s Wife (1947; 1 hour & 49 minutes) Amidst intense fundraising for a new church building, an Episcopalian bishop (David Niven) and his wife (Loretta Young) struggle to take a day off and keep a holiday holy. A debonair angel- who looks a lot like Cary Grant- may or may not be the answer to the bishop’s prayer for rest. Join us in the hall to see it on the big screen.

The Chosen   April 15, 3 p.m. in the Library(Conclusion of Season 3) 


2024 LENTEN LECTURES

Pre-Sanctified Liturgies,  Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. in St. Demetrios Church,  followed by a potluck meal and a guest speaker in the Cultural Hall.

Date           Speaker                                   Potluck Host

April 3     “#1 Priority: Our Relationship with God”- Ted Cherpas          GOYA

April 10    "Stewardship during the Great Fast"  Stacey Stathulis                                                                    Yassou Club

April 17    "The Curtain"  - Deacon John Pantelis             Daughters of Penelope

April 24    “Women in the Church” -Alyssa Kyritsis                               Choir


PHILOPTOCHOS CORNER

Sat., April 6,11 a.m. The Metropolis Philoptochos Daffodil LUncheon is hosted by Holy Trinity of Ambridge, at  Marriot PIttsburgh Airport, 777 Aten Rd., Coraopolis, PA. For reservations visit https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted...button...id=NDJKRNGH5HXWW

Sun., April 14 - we are hosting a Baby Shower for Zoe House. Wish list includes diapers (newborn to size 6), wipes, baby wash, shampoo, lotion, receiving blankets, washclothes & towels, bottles, baby clothes (0-24 months), strollers, high chairs, infant car seats, pack & plays. Bring items to the hall after Liturgy. There will also be bottles on each table to collect loose change donations.

Artistis & crafts people, please consider supporting our sister chapter in North Royalton at their Autumn Craft Fair (SAt., Oct. 12) by purchasing booth space (8x10') $60 before April 15; $70 after April 15. Must supply own table (2 chairs will be provided) or rent of the limited available tables for $10.  Limited spaces available with electricty ($5) All vendor registration subject to approval. Email StPaulPhiloFundraising@gmail.com

 


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., April 6 Contact Linda Glynias (216-469-2663)

~Philoptochos next service date:  Tue., April 9. Contact Joanne Harootunian (440-353-0910)


GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Sun., April 7, in the hall after Liturgy. Quorum of 25 members in Good Standing required. Agenda includes reports from the Audit, Festival, Mission Trip, Home & Stewardship committees, appointment of Election Committee and Clergy Laity rep &  more.

 


ECLIPSE HOURS

Mon., April 8, the church will close at 1:00 p.m. for safety purposes.


OPA

No rehearsals this week. Rehearsals are on the following Thursdays, 6:45 -7:30 p.m.:

Kymata:  April 11, 18 & 25  in the gym.

Kyklonas: April 11 & 18 in the hall


PALM SUNDAY LUNCHEON

Sun, April 28,  luncheon following Divine Liturgy, sponsored by the St. Demetrios Legacy Fund.  Traditional Fish Plaki or Lenten Pasta (Adult and/or child).  Free to Parishioners.  Reservations required no later than Sunday April 21st.  Please call the church office at (440) 331-2246, or visit the Legacy table during coffee hour. 


CHOIR NOTES

Rehearsals during Lent will be on Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the church. Anyone wishing to join in order to sing the beautiful hymns of the season leading up Pascha, is welcome!

 


BOOK & BIBLE STUDY

Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. in the library. All welcome. For Lent, we will be reading about the Jesus Prayer in a book titled A Friend of God by Fr Dan Rogich.

 In addition to the readings, we also watch videos on YouTube to stimulate discussion. (For Example: Fr. Barnabas Powell, and presentations from reliable Orthodox Christian resources.) We deeply love our Faith. We are a group that enjoys praying, discussing scripture and readings that stimulate discussion.  All our welcome. If you have questions please contact Angie Giallourakis or Maggie Steffas.


PRAYER GROUP

Thursdays at 10:30  a.m. in St Philothei Chapel. Contact Diakonissa Amy (apantelisdo@gmail.com or 330-519-3100) to join, or to submit names for whom we can pray.


PARISH PICKLEBALL

Now on Wednesdays and Fridays , 9:00 a.m. in the Zapis Activity Center.


EVENTS ELSEWHERE

FINAL FISH FRY  Annunciation Church, 2187 W. 14th St., Cleveland. 5:00-8:00 p.m. 

HOPE/JOY LENTEN RETREAT Sat., April 6, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Sts. Constantine & Helen, 3352 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Hts., Open to kids in K-Grade 6 to learn about Triodion with crafts and a service project. Lunch provided. Registration: http://tinyurl.com/MiniLentNW

ICON INSPIRED CONCERT Fri, April 12, 7:30-9:30 p.m. site-specific concert by Serbian Orthodox composer Alexandra Vrebelov, inspired by the Virgin Eleousa icon in Gallery 105 at the Cleveland Museum of Art.  Admission to the concert is free and open to the public.

 AFRICA & BYZANTIUM April 14-July 21, at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Exhibit featuring 160 works of sacred and secular art. Go to Clevelandart.org for ticket information.

 GRIEF SHARE Tuesdays  now -May 28,  1-3 p.m. at St. Paul Church, 4548 Wallings Rd., North Royalton. Register at http://tinyurl.com/GriefshareSTP or clal 440-237-8998

YOUNG ADULT SPRING RETREAT April 12-14 at Camp Nazareth for ages 18-35. Keynote speaker Fr. Jonathan Tobias "Why do bad things happen to good people?"  Registration at https://y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org/2024-young-adult-spring-retreat

CAMP NAZARETH Registration for the Metropolis summer camp now open at https://y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org/en/summercamp   Children of St. Demetrios Stewards in Good Standing for 2024, may contact the office to get the code for a full-ride scholarship.  

YOCAMA MISSION TRIP  July 13-19, Join others from St. Demetrios on a mission trip to the Navajo Nation in Gallup, New Mexico, through YOCAMA (Young Orthodox Christian American Mission Adventure) Learn more at www.yocama.com/missiontrips and contact Jake Trotter (trotterjake@gmail.com) for more details about our trip.


SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

AHEPA District 11 Buckeye: Available to students currently in college or entering college in Fall 2024, who are OR whose parents are active members of the AHEPA, Daughters of Penelope, Sons of Pericles, or Maids of Athena for 3 consecutive years (2 years plus current year.) Application at www.bsf.buckeyedistrict11.org  Submission deadline: March 31, 2024.

 AHEPA #389 / Daughters of Penelope #321: Available to graduating high school seniors whose families are members of AHEPA or Daughters of Penelope 321, or St. Demetrios Church, who are starting their undergraduate studies in the Fall of 2024. To request the application, email office@saintdemetriosrr.org   Submission deadline: April 19, 2024

The John M Manos, Cleveland, AHEPA Chapter #36 is offering college scholarships to graduating high school seniors of Greek descent who are residents of Cuyahoga, Lorain, Summit, Medina or Lake County. Scholarships are awarded upon merit. Contact Alex Rokakis for a scholarship application at alekomon@mac.com. Hard copies also available in the ST. Demetrios Church office.  Scholarship applications must be completed by May 4, 2024, and will be awarded no later than June 1, 2024. 

Joan Lambros Memorial     Available to women who are members of St. Demetrios Church and pursuing   undergraduate or post-grad studies in the Sciences.  To request the  application, email office@saintdemetriosrr.org    Submission deadline: April 26, 2024

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships: 

for the 2024-2025 academic year

•The Gioles and Malta Scholarships are available to Undergraduate Students.
•The Paleologos Scholarship is available to Graduate students.
•The Taylor Scholarship is available to students pursuing a secondary degree.
•The Tembelis Scholarship is available to all students studying at Hellenic College-Holy Cross.
•The Trakatellis Scholarship is available to graduates of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology who are pursuing further academic studies.

Applications at  www.goarch.org/scholarships  Submission deadline for all: May 17, 2024.


2024 WALL CALENDARS

More copies have been delivered! Pick up on Sundays in the Narthex and weekdays in the office lobby.  

 


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Saints and Feasts

02_palamas2
March 31

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.

His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today.

01_mary2
April 01

Mary of Egypt

When Mary was only twelve years old, she left her parents and departed to Alexandria, where she lived a depraved life for seventeen years. Then, moved by curiosity, she went with many pilgrims to Jerusalem, that she might see the Exaltation of the venerable Cross. Even in the Holy City she gave herself over to every kind of licentiousness and drew many into the depth of perdition. Desiring to go into the church on the day of the Exaltation of the Cross, time and again she perceived a certain invisible power preventing her entrance, whereas the multitude of people about her entered unhindered. Therefore, wounded in heart by this, she decided to change her way of life and reconcile herself to God by means of repentance. Invoking our Lady the Theotokos as her protectress, she asked her to open the way for her to worship the Cross, and vowed that she would renounce the world. And thus, returning once again to the church, she entered easily. When she had worshipped the precious Wood, she departed that same day from Jerusalem and passed over the Jordan. She went into the inner wilderness and for forty-seven years lived a most harsh manner of life, surpassing human strength; alone, she prayed to God alone. Toward the end of her life, she met a certain hermit named Zosimas, and she related to him her life from the beginning. She requested of him to bring her the immaculate Mysteries that she might partake of them. According to her request, he did this the following year on Holy and Great Thursday. One year after this, Zosimas again went thither and found her dead, laid upon the ground, and letters written in the sand near her which said: "Abba Zosimas, bury here the body of wretched Mary. I died on the very day I partook of the immaculate Mysteries. Pray for me." Her death is reckoned by some to have taken place in 378, by some, in 437, and by others, in 522. She is commemorated also on the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent. Her life was recorded by Saint Sophronius of Jerusalem.

April 02

Titus the Wonderworker

Little is known of this Saint except that he took up the monastic life from his youth, became the abbot of a monastery, and reposed in peace.

April 03

Joseph the Hymnographer

Saint Joseph was from Sicily, the son of Plotinus and Agatha. Because Sicily had been subjugated by the Moslems, he departed thence and, passing from place to place, came with Saint Gregory of Decapolis (see NOV. 20) to Constantinople, where he endured bitter afflictions because of his pious zeal. Travelling to Rome, he was captured by Arab pirates and taken to Crete, whence he later returned to Constantinople. He became an excellent hymnographer and reposed in holiness shortly after 886 (according to some, it was in 883). The melismatic canons of the Menaion are primarily the work of this Joseph; they bear his name in the acrostic of the Ninth Ode. He also composed most of the sacred book known as the Paracletike, which complements the Octoechos For this reason, Joseph is called par excellence the Hymnographer.

April 04

George the Righteous of Maleon

This Saint took up the monastic life from his youth, and went to Mount Maleon, where a community of monks gathered about him. He foretold his death from three years before, and reposed in an odour of sanctity.

April 05

Monk-Martyrs Claudius, Diodore, Victor, Victorinus, Pappias, Nicephorus, and Serapion

Of these Martyrs, Saint Claudius died when his arms and legs were severed; Saint Diodore was burned alive; Saints Victor, Victorinus, and Nicephorus were crushed to death by a large boulder; Saint Serapion was burned alive; Saint Pappias was cast into the sea. According to some accounts, they contested in Corinth under Decius in 251; according to others, in Diospolis in Egypt under Numerian in 284.

April 06

Eutychios, Patriarch of Constantinople

Born in Theia Kome of Phrygia, Eutychius was the son of illustrious parents, from whom he received a pious upbringing. He studied in Constantinople, and became a monk in a certain monastery of Amasia. In 552 he was chosen Patriarch of New Rome, but was exiled in 565 as a result of the machinations of the Origenists. In 577 he was restored to his throne and reposed on April 6, 582.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

Take up your bed. Carry the very mat that once carried you. Change places, so that what was the proof of your sickness may now give testimony to your soundness. Your bed of pain becomes the sign of healing, its very weight the measure of the strength that has been restored to you.
St. Peter Chrysologus
Homily 50.6. Taken from: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Vol. 2: Mark. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2005, p. 27.

Now Matthew indeed saith, that "they brought him," but the others, that they also broke up the roof, and let him down. And they put the sick man before Christ, saying nothing, but committing the whole to Him.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 29 on Matthew 9, 1. B#54, pp. 195, 196, 4th Century

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode

When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, all the powers in the Heavens cried out: O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.

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


Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Gregory Palamas in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Light of Orthdoxy, pillar and teacher of the Church, adornment of monastics, invincible champion of theologians, O Gregory thou wonderworker, boast of Thessalonica, herald of grace: ever pray that our souls be saved.

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


Apolytikion for the Church in the First Mode

Μέγαν εύρατο εντοίς κινδύνοις,  σε υπέρμαχον η οικουμένη, αθλοφόρε τα έθνη τροπούμενον. Ως ουν Λυαίου καθείλες την έπαρσιν εν τω σταδίω θαρρύνας τον Νέστορα. Ουτως άγιε μεγαλομάρτυς Δημήτριε, Χριστόν τον Θεόν ικέτευε δωρήσασθε ημίν το μεγαέλεος.


Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"

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


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