Priest
The Reverend Protopresbyter Father Nikiforos Fakinos is the Pastor of Saint Demetrios Church since August 1, 2002. Father Nikiforos Fakinos is a graduate of Hellenic College / Holy Cross (Class of 1997) with a Bachelors degree in Religious Studies and a Masters diploma in Divinity. He has served also in the Cathedral of Saint Demetrios in Astoria, New York as a Priest for five years (1997-2002). His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America appointed the Rev. Nikiforos Fakinos to be the Assistant Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod and the President of the Long Island Clergy Fellowship. The Rev. Nikiforos Fakinos currently serves in the “Ανώτατο Συμβούλιο Ελληνικής Παιδείας” promoting Greek Education for the entire Archdiocese of America. He has delivered numerous speeches on the subject during education symposiums, with the participation of representatives and directors of Greek Education from the entire U.S.A. He has served as a member of the Archdiocesan Spiritual Court upon request and at the request of both His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America as well His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios former of America.
The Rev. Protopresbyter Nikiforos Fakinos is also assisting the Archdiocesan District with the annual Parish Council Seminars, as well as Marriage Seminars, with the delivery of the pertinent presentations and organizing the forums respectively. He has been greatly involved with the Parish life of Saint Demetrios Church in Merrick, especially with the Youth programs, couples’ ministries, lessons for those who are new to the faith, hospital visits, nursing home assistance, philanthropy, the senior citizens programs, Greek education and catechism. He was instrumental for the initiation of the iconography project of the Church, which was successfully completed and the Church is adorned with spectacular, traditional Byzantine icons. He is also extremely involved with both Church renovation projects, one that started upon his arrival in 2002 and was completed shortly before a devastating fire, which became the main reason for a second complete renovation of the Church in 2013. The Church is arguably one of the most beautiful houses of worship in Long Island! The Rev. Father Nikiforos Fakinos designed and orchestrated the entire Church renovation with the tireless assistance of a dynamic Parish Council, talented artists and distinguished architects and contractors. Currently, our Pastor is dedicated to the Community Center Project, for which he leads the fundraising efforts. Having purchased 8 properties and acquired the necessary Public Assembly permits, the Parish is fully engaged to realize the competed architectural drawings and erect a state-of-the-art Community Center in order to serve the needs of the ministries of the Church.
In the past, the Rev. Nikiforos Fakinos has served as the Master of Ceremonies for the Patriarchal Visit of His All Holiness Bartholomew in Astoria and the Teletarch for the Enthronement of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. He has also served as the Religious Education Director for the Direct Archdiocesan District of New York, Washington DC and Connecticut for nine years and he has served the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America as a Deacon (ordained at the Metropolis of Boston). On Sunday, October 25th, 2009, His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, elevated Fr. Nikiforos Fakinos to the rank of the Economos.
His All Holiness Bartholomew visited the Parish on the occasion of the feast of Saint Demetrios the Great Martyr and blessed the faithful of the area. On October of 2018, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios former of America elevated Father Nikiforos to the rank of the Protopresbyter. Father Nikiforos was the voice of the “Radio Pulpit” program of Hellas Fm, delivering sermons through the radio waves and the internet and addressing significant issues of theological, social and educational value. His articles were published in the Orthodox Observer (the official newspaper of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in America) and other publications. Some of his presentations and sermons have been also broadcasted via Antenna Satelite and ERT World and local New York Greek Cable Stations.
Sunday Lesson to Kids
Father Nikiforos Fakinos came to the Community of Saint Demetrios in Merrick at the age of 28. As a young priest, his ministry is geared especially towards the youth. His sermons on Facebook and YouTube are geared towards offering a better understanding of the faith and practical ways to live our Orthodox life with grace and love. Other highlights of his ministry in Merrick include the development of a complete religious education program for all age groups. On Sundays, he addresses the students of the Church School in a dialectical sermon, which also invites the youth to ask questions and participate in the discussion. The purpose of those lessons is to cultivate a better understanding of the faith from an early age. Retreats, philanthropy, special lectures, meetings with couples, lessons for persons who are interested to join the Church, confessions, marital counseling, pastoral visits, hospital ministry and the Church publications (the Sunday Bulletin, weekly electronic mailings, the Newsletter, the Journal, the Parish mailings etc.) are also incorporated to address the spiritual needs of the Parishioners of Saint Demetrios.
The volunteers of all the Parish organizations are of paramount significance as far as the development of all the activities of the Community is concerned. Father Nikiforos Fakinos works with the Parish Council, the Philoptochos (Friends of the Poor) Sisterhood, the Greek School, the Sunday School, the Little Angels (Mommy and Me program), the JOY/HOPE, GOYA, YAL (Youth organizations from 5 to College ages), the Golden Years (Senior Citizens), the Pins for Pauly (assisting children stricken with Leukemia), the Choir and all the Church Committees to ensure the progress of the Parish life.
Two of the major goals in the ministry of Father Nikiforos Fakinos are the completion of the Iconography and Cultural Center projects. The Iconography project was initiated with the blessing of His Eminence Demetrios, Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, on October 25th, 2002. Many of the icons were painted by Mr. George Filippakis, one of the most renowned iconographers in the United States of America. The project has been completed by the talented and young Yiannis Fratzis, an exceptional iconographer in the Archdicoese. Byzantine style ecclesiastical windows have been installed to adorn the Church of Saint Demetrios. The Cultural Center is the next step towards the fulfillment of the goals of the Parish. Thanks to the generosity and hard work of our volunteers and the Parish leadership, these projects are becoming an inspiration for Parishioners and visitors of the Community.
Father Nikiforos Fakinos is available for any type of spiritual assistance. You may contact him at the Church office telephone numbers. The website also offers a collection of some of his articles and sermons, as well as his message to the Community which is updated frequently. Also, a calendar is included with all Parish events and religious services. Please, be advised that the Sunday service begins at 9 a.m. (morning service in Greek) followed by Divine Liturgy (10 a.m. in both English and Greek). Everyone is welcome to come to our divine services and also arrange to speak to Father Nikiforos in person.
