PERFECT DAY FOR THE BEACH
Dear Members of the Saint Demetrios Family,
Going to the beach or diving in the bay in January is reserved only for the bravest (or the craziest). And one needs to be crazy with love for our Lord to do it. Yes, Epiphany is the day when some of us will be wearing bathing suits to retrieve the Holy Cross from the frigid waters, a true testament of faith and love for Christ.
Holy Theophany - Τα Άγια Θεοφάνεια is one of the most significant feasts of the year, celebrating the revelation of the Trinitarian God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, manifesting divine providence for our salvation, the blessing of humanity and all creation.
The basis of life is water, for the survival of our bodies and for life on the planet. By the Great Sanctification of the Holy Water, emanating from the river Jordan and dissipated to the whole earth, we receive the blessing of Christ, Who is the Life.
On Tuesday, January 6, we celebrate Epiphany or Theophany, starting with the Orthros and the Divine Liturgy at 9 am, followed by the Great Agiasmos and the blessing of the Ocean. We will proceed to Wantagh Park to concelebrate the feast at 12 noon, together with the Greek Orthodox Communities of Saint Markella, Wantagh and Panaghia, Island Park. Divers will retrieve the Precious Cross from the Bay to honor the Lord's Baptism by Saint John the Forerunner in the river Jordan.
Letters for religious observance will be handed to all students who are participating in the services. This is a sacred feast, and we ask for the blessing of God for us and our loved ones for the whole year.
Please, call the Church office this week so that we can arrange the blessing of your house and business. This way, our New Year 2026 is filled with joy, health, prosperity and salvation. Καλά και ευλογημένα Θεοφάνεια! Happy New Year! Blessed, healthy and joyous New Year 2026!
Protopresbyter Nikiforos Fakinos
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Καλή χρονιά καί εὐλογημένη, μέ ὑγεῖα καὶ κάθε ἀγαθό.
We welcome the New Year 2026 with so many blessings already bestowed for our beautiful Community. Our brand-new classrooms, athletic facilities, Church Hall, Elaine Cassimatis Kafeneio and offices are gorgeous and filled with the smiles of the faithful stewards of Saint Demetrios Church. We worked hard and sacrificed much to get to this point, and now, we may all enjoy the fruits of our labor of love. Our Saint Demetrios Church sanctuary is gorgeous, our Constantine and Carol Cassis Center is beyond compare, and most importantly, all these sacred edifices are filled with many blessings.
I love seeing you all at the services; we need Christ in our lives, for our youth, for the elderly, for the couples, for the families, for all of us. Jesus came to Bethlehem to change our world one soul at the time, starting with our soul. He gave us everything, taught us, healed us, He was Crucified and Resurrected for us. All this, to ensure that we are on a journey to salvation, blessed and graced by Him.
This Sunday, we commemorate that path from Christmas to Epiphany; we follow Jesus on that journey, as we celebrated yesterday the 8th day blessing, which we also observe for all babies receiving their name on the 8th day after their birth. We also celebrated Saint Basil the Great, the founder of organized philanthropic initiatives, who inspired our own Saint Basil’s Academy, where the Archdiocese assists children and families for decades. We wish a happy nameday to Vassili and Vasiliki, as well as Yianni, Ioanna and John, coming up on January 7th.
On Tuesday, January 6th, we celebrate the feast of Holy Epiphany, with Orthros, Divine Liturgy and the Great Agiasmos starting at 9 am. All students will receive a letter for their schools, as this day is a day of religious observance for all Orthodox faithful, and the second most significant feast in our Church calendar. If all Orthodox stand together, our religious feasts will become national feasts, as is the case with other religions, who do not compromise their beliefs and stand firm on their traditions.
For this reason, we all come on Tuesday, January 6th to receive the Great Agiasmos, after a day of strict fasting on the 5th, and to also take a bottle of the Holy Water to keep in our homes, with our icons, for the remainder of the year. Afterwards, we will proceed to Wantagh Park together with the Greek Orthodox Communities of Saint Markella in Wantagh and Panaghia in Island Park to con-celebrate together the important holy day with the blessing of the Ocean.
We welcome our divers to retrieve the Cross from the bay and we will have a beautiful celebration for Theophany, manifesting the revelation of the Trinitarian God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, blessing us and all Creation, our homes and our planet.
Please, call the Church office this week so that we can arrange the blessing of your house and business. This way, our New Year 2026 is filled with joy, health, prosperity and salvation. Happy New Year! Blessed, healthy and joyous New Year 2026!
Protopresbyter Nikiforos Fakinos
Sacred Services
1) Sunday, January 4th, Sunday Before Epiphany, Orthros and Divine Liturgy starting at 9 am.
2) Memorials: Harry Korines (3 years). May his memory be eternal.
3) Church School is NOT in Session.
4) EPIPHANY - ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΑ, Tuesday, January 6th, with Orthros, Divine Liturgy and Great Agiasmos starting at 9 am.
5) Saint John the Baptist, January 7th, with Orthros and Divine Liturgy starting at 9 am.
6) Sunday After Epiphany, January 11th, with Orthros and Divine Liturgy starting at 9 am.
Religious and Cultural Education
1) Orthodox Study discussion resumes on Thursday, January 8th at 7:00 pm in our Church Hall. Every Thursday at 7 pm!
2) Little Angels Thursday, January 8th from 11 am – 12:30 noon. We look forward to seeing our babies in Church! Every Thursday at 11 am.
3) KANARIS Dance group practice, Saturday, January 10th and 24th at 10 am. Parathosi Dance Festival on January 31st.
Youth Ministries
1) GOYA Volleyball practice on Friday, January 2nd: Junior Girls 2:30-4 pm, Senior Girls 4-6 pm, Boys 6-7:30 pm. Practices will be on Wednesdays and Thursdays, every week.
2) GOYA Vasilopita Event, Tuesday, January 13th, at 7:30 pm.
3) Basketball practice schedule and game schedule is sent to the parents, please, consult with your coaches.
4) Young Adult Basketball, Tuesdays at 8 pm. Must be a member of Saint Demetrios Church to participate!
Celebrations and Fundraisers
1) 2026 Stewardship Drive: Please, send your stewardship donation to support our Church ministries and programs.
2) Philoptochos Vasilopita for Saint Basil’s Academy, Sunday, January 18th after the service.
NEW YEAR IN OUR NEW HOME
Dear friends and supporters of our beautiful Church,
Happy New Year! Before Christmas, we sent to your homes a beautiful present, the 2026 Saint Demetrios Calendar, replete with all Orthodox feasts, the national holidays, and all the namedays of Saints so that we celebrate our loved ones and friends. The Calendar includes beautiful pictures from several events that made the year 2025 so special and unforgettable.
The envelope of that mailing also contains your family’s 2026 stewardship card, so that more amazing events are supported and provided for the New Year. We are blessed with one of the most gorgeous Churches, and a state-of-the-art new edifice for all ages to receive much needed spiritual nutrition, education, philanthropic engagement, athletic exercise, and social fellowship in a safe and faith-based environment. Your stewardship covers participation in the sacramental life of the Church, ability to enroll in the School and the youth programs, membership for our athletic facilities and our fitness center, as well the opportunity to come to the Elaine Cassimatis Kafeneio and enroll in all Church organizations, from Merrick Angels and Little Angels, to HOPE, JOY, Jr. GOYA, GOYA, YAL, Orthodox Study, Philoptochos and Golden Years.
Please, do not make the minimum required of the annual stewardship the maximum offered. We still have a balance to pay off our construction costs and to also sustain our gorgeous Community facilities. We are able to donate in person or by mail, at the address Saint Demetrios Church, 2421 Hewlett Avenue, Merrick, NY 11566, or electronically by clicking the link https://saint-demetrios.com/donate. We may offer our stewardship right away or on a monthly or any other basis. This is OUR Church and ALL of us together we make a miracle possible. We have achieved so much and with the grace of God, we ask for His blessings, for health and happiness for this beautiful NEW YEAR 2026.
May our Lord and Savior bless and protect you, and replenish your gifts many times over, with His sacred Grace for you and your families.
In His Service,
Protopresbyter Nikiforos Fakinos Nikos Poulikidis
Presiding Priest Parish Council President
Αγαπητοί φίλοι και υποστηρικτές της όμορφής μας Κοινότητας,
Καλή Χρονιά! Σάς στείλαμε πριν τα Χριστούγεννα ένα σημαντικό δώρο, το Ημερολόγιο του Αγίου Δημητρίου για το έτος 2026, με όλες τις εκκλησιαστικές και εθνικές μας εορτές. Επίσης, το Ημερολόγιο περιλαμβάνει φωτογραφίες με αξέχαστες στιγμές από το έτος 2025. Με την δική σας υποστήριξη, θα πολλαπλασιάσουμε και στο έτος 2026 τις μοναδικές εμπειρίες που παρέχει η ενορία μας.
Μαζί με το Ημερολόγιο, στέλνουμε και το δελτίο εθελοντικής προσφοράς για την οικογένειά σας, για το έτος 2026. Έχουμε την χαρά να απολαμβάνουμε την πίστη μας στον πανέμορφο ναό μας του Αγίου Δημητρίου και στο υπερσύγχρονο νέο μας κτίριο. Χάρη στην προσφορά σας ένα θαύμα έγινε, και ένα μεγαλύτερο θαύμα συνεχίζεται. Η δυναμική μας Κοινότητα με εξαιρετικές δραστηριότητες για όλες τις ηλικίες για την πνευματική μας νουθεσία, την παιδεία, την φιλανθρωπία, τον αθλητισμό και την κοινωνική μας συναναστροφή σε ένα ασφαλές περιβάλλον, λουσμένο από τα Χριστιανικά ιδεώδη. Με την συνδρομή σας, μπορείτε να συμμετάσχετε στην Μυστηριακή εμπειρία της Εκκλησίας και όλους τους Κοινοτικούς οργανισμούς, από το Γυμναστήριο, το Καφενείο Ελένη Κασσιμάτη, μέχρι και εγγραφή στα Σχολεία και στις ομάδες των νέων μας.
Μπορούμε να δώσουμε είτε το χαμηλότερο δυνατό ποσό εθελοντικής προσφοράς είτε το καλύτερο. Ό,τι μπορούμε χωρίς να στερήσουμε την οικογένειά μας, είτε προσωπικώς, είτε ταχυδρομικώς στην διεύθυνση Saint Demetrios Church, 2421 Hewlett Avenue, Merrick, NY 11566, ή ηλεκτρονικά στον σύνδεσμο https://saint-demetrios.com/donate. Η δωρεά μας γίνεται ή σε μία δόση, ή μηνιαίως, ή σε πολλαπλές προσφορές. Έτσι, ΟΛΟΙ μαζί στηρίζουμε και υποστηρίζουμε την Εκκλησία ΜΑΣ. Με την χάρη του Θεού, έχουμε καταφέρει πόλλά. Ευχόμαστε και προσευχόμαστε ο Θεός να πολλαπλασιάζει αυτά που δωρίζετε στο σπίτι σας με υγεία, χαρά και κάθε αγαθό.
Με εγκάρδιους εν Κυρίω χαιρεστισμούς,
Πρωτοπρεσβύτερος Νικηφόρος Φακίνος Νίκος Πουλικίδης
Ιερατικός Προϊστάμενος Πρόεδρος Κοινοτικού Συμβουλίου
ΤΑ ΑΓΙΑ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΑ
Καλή Χρονιά! Ευλογημένο, ευτυχισμένο και χαρούμενο το Νέο Έτος, αγαπητοί ενορίτες, με υγεία και ευημερία για όλους. Στην ανατολή του 2026, προσδοκούμε ένα κόσμο ειρηνικό και αγαπημένο για εμάς και για τις οικογένειές μας. Και ο καλύτερος τρόπος να γίνει η προσδοκία μας ευχή, προσευχή και πραγματικότητα είναι να ζητήσουμε την θεία πρόνοια με την ακολουθία του Μεγάλου Αγιασμού των Θεοφανείων. Τα Άγια Θεοφάνεια είναι η ημέρα που εορτάζουμε την Βάπτιση του Κυρίου και Σωτήρος Ιησού Χριστού. Επίσης ενθυμούμεθα την φανέρωση του Τριαδικού Θεού, του Πατρός, του Υιού και του Αγίου Πνεύματος (εξ ου και ο ορισμός Θεο-φάνεια). Η εορτή ονομάζεται επίσης ημέρα των φωτών, διότι ο Τριαδικός Θεός φωτίζει την Οικουμένη με την προστάτιδα Χάρη Του. Επίσης, είθισται να δεχόμαστε την θεία Χάρη με την μετάληψη του Μεγάλου Αγιασμού και τον ραντισμό των σπιτιών και των επιχειρήσεών μας, ώστε ο Θεός να προστατεύει εμάς, τις οικογένειες και τις εργασίες μας. Ο ιερέας ψάλλει το Απολυτίκιο της εορτής κατά τον ραντισμό: «Εν Ιορδάνη βαπτιζομένου σου Κύριε η της Τριάδος εφανερώθη προσκύνησις».
Η Κοινότητά μας πανηγυρίζει την περιώνυμο ημέρα της εορτής των Θεοφανείων με το Μεγάλο Αγιασμό και την κατάδυση του Σταυρού στον Ωκεανό. Μεταλαμβάνουμε τον Μεγάλο Αγιασμό με την κατάλληλη προετοιμασία, που συμπεριλαμβάνει προσευχή και νηστεία. Όλοι προσευχόμαστε για να έχουμε την φώτιση του Θεού, ώστε οι αποφάσεις της ζωής μας να είναι προς σωτηρία. Επίσης, αιτούμε την προστασία του Θεού, διότι ζούμε σε ένα κόσμο γεμάτο πνευματικούς και άλλους κινδύνους. Είθε ο Κύριος να φυλάττει όλους και τις οικογένειές μας, να δωρίζει υγεία και ασφάλεια στον κόσμο και σωτηρία στις ψυχές μας. Η Χάρις του φανέντος Θεού να γεμίζει το Νέο Έτος με χαρά και κάθε αγαθό.
Και σίγουρα, το έτος που διανύουμε είναι σημαντικό και ιστορικό, διότι έχει να κάνει με την πραγμάτωση του πόθου των ενοριτών γιατην ανοικοδόμηση του ιερού μας ναού και την ανέγερση σύγχρονου Πολιτιστικού Κέντρου και σχολείου. Γένοιτο!
+Πρωτοπρεσβύτερος Νικηφόρος Φακίνος
HOLY EPIPHANY
We all welcome the New Year with the hope that this year will bring peace, love and a better world for us and our families. And what a better way to pray for the spiritual and social prosperity of everyone than the Great Agiasmos or the Great Blessing of the Waters of holy Theophany. Holy Epiphany or Holy Theophany is the day when we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and when we commemorate the appearance (φανέρωσις) of the triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Holy Epiphany is also called the day of lights, because it illuminates the world with the divine inspiration of faith and the knowledge of the True God. This illumination, this blessing and this divine inspiration are brought to us when we receive the Great Agiasmos. It is also customary to receive the blessing of divine protection in our homes and our businesses, when the priest sprinkles the Great Agiasmos chanting the hymn «Ἐν Ἰορδάνῃ βαπτιζομένου σου Κύριε ἡ τῆς Τριάδος ἐφανερώθη προσκύνησις» (Having being baptized in the river Jordan O Lord, the veneration of the Holy Trinity was revealed).
Our Community celebrates the sacrament of the Great Blessing of the Waters and the faithful are encouraged to prepare to receive the Great Agiasmos on the day of Holy Epiphany, with fasting and prayer. Also, we conduct the service of the universal blessing of the waters, by dunking the cross into the ocean. This way, the oceans are blessed, in commemoration of Christ’s blessing of river Jordan and all the waters of the earth. We all need the protection of God. We need God’s inspiration and illumination, so that our choices in life are for our spiritual benefit. We need to follow the message of the Gospel, in order to fulfill the will of God in our lives. God revealed Himself to us, so that we may know Him; when we know God, we can communicate with Him more effectively through conscious prayer and the participation in the holy sacraments. When we know God we can ask Him for His divine protection, His miraculous intervention and salvation. We hope and pray that God will bless all of us with every gift from above. May the divine illumination of holy Epiphany inspire the world with peace and faith, so that we may cherish the New Year in harmony, love and solidarity.
+Protopresbyter Nikiforos Fakinos
THE TIME MACHINE
Dear members of the Saint Demetrios family,
Christ Is Born! Glorify Him!
What would you do if you had a time machine? Imagine the possibilities… To go to any time in the past and visit your favorite persons in history. To dial in the year and the place, and instantly get there. Imagine that, to dial the date 2025 years back, and the place to Bethlehem in Judea. As the knees bend before Jesus, in pious worship of our Lord, it is a prodigious honor to stand next to the shepherds and the wise men, under the miraculous star of Bethlehem, graced by the presence of the Ever-Virgin Mary and the All-Good Joseph.
So, let us set our time machine and make the time necessary to bend the knees before our God and Savior this Christmas. Enter the warm manger of the beautiful Church, bringing your gifts of gratitude, and receiving His most precious and eternal Gifts. Receive Holy Communion like it’s your first time. Immerse into His glory; let the star of Bethlehem be your beacon, leading your footsteps to the sanctuary. The wise men of the past did so. It is wise and prudent to be there, it is His feast, it is Him we honor and worship, it is CHRISTMAS!
Protopresbyter Nikiforos Fakinos
Η ΜΗΧΑΝΗ ΤΟΥ ΧΡΟΝΟΥ
Χριστὸς γεννᾶται! Δοξάσατε!
Τί θα κάνατε εάν είχατε μία μηχανή του χρόνου; Φανταστείτε τις δυνατότητες... Να επισκευτείτε όποια ημερομηνία στην ιστορία θέλετε και να συναντήσετε το πλέον αγαπητό πρόσωπο που επιθυμείτε να γνωρίσετε. Να ρυθμίσετε την ημερομηνία 2025 χρόνια πίσω στο παρελθόν και την τοποθεσία στην Βηθλεέμ της Ιουδαίας. Γονατίζοντας ευλαβικά μπροστά στον Ιησού, δίπλα στους ποιμένες και τους σοφούς Μάγους της Ανατολής, κάτω από το φως του λαμπρού άστρου της Βηθλεέμ, και με την χάρη της παρουσίας της Αειπάρθενου Μαρίας και του Πάγκαλου Ιωσήφ.
Ας ρυθμίσουμε λοιπόν την δική μας μηχανή του χρόνου και να δώσουμε τον απαραίτητο χρόνο ώστε να γονατίσουμε μπροστά στον Κύριο και Θεό μας. Ελάτε στην ζεστή του φάτνη, στην Εκκλησία, με τα δώρα της ευχαριστίας σας, για να λάβετε τα δικά Του τίμια, άχραντα και αιώνια δώρα. Να μεταλάβετε σαν να είναι η πρώτη σας φορά! Να λουστείτε την δόξα Του. Να κάνετε το Άστρο της Βηθλεέμ τον φάρο που θα οδηγήσει τα βήματά σας μπροστά στο ιερό. Οι σοφοί τότε έτσι έπραξαν. Είναι σοφό και συνετό να κάνουμε το ίδιο, είναι η δική Του γιορτή, Εκείνον τιμούμε και προσκυνούμε, είναι ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ!
Πρωτοπρεσβύτερος Νικηφόρος Φακίνος
SAINT ELEFTHERIOS
Dear members of the Saint Demetrios family,
Our Community Chapel celebration is fast approaching. On Monday, December 15th, we honor the feast of Saint Eleftherios, and we will have a service in the morning at 9 am. However, since it is a feast that is significant for our youth, on Sunday, we will speak about Saint Eleftherios to the students and we will have Artoklasia service for those who celebrate; we will also pray for all expecting mothers as well as the youth of our Parish, since Saint Eleftherios was a young Christian who dedicated his life to the Lord. He is a perfect role model and an inspirational example for all young people, since nowadays, our youth is surrounded by many negative examples of immorality and madness.
The more that madness and immorality are promoted and “normalized”, the more people will turn to Christ. There is a powerful Christian revival in our Nation and worldwide. It is evident with your attendance to services, with the miracle of the completion of our new edifice, and with the participation of our youth to the Church ministries. We love Christ; He is the only answer, especially when we are surrounded by so much that attempts to corrupt the younger generation.
I was so happy to see our children attend their classes in our Community this week; they were so enthusiastic to be with their forever friends, to play, to learn, to share fellowship and to live their faith to the fullest. More and more young families and couples attend services. Our Orthodox Study discussion groups need more chairs every week. Young people who are new to the faith ask questions and find the answers that save our souls. More philanthropy and more good deeds are manifesting our love for the faith. Our senior citizens are also excited to come to Church, and share their “parea” of fun and spirituality. From the youngest babies to the pappous and yiayias, we have observed that we come to Saint Demetrios and we spend more time under the same roof every week.
We have our appointment with the Fire Department Marshall this Monday morning, so that our roof is officially extended to include these beautiful new classrooms, athletic facilities and social halls adjacent to our gorgeous Church. So, very soon, we are looking forward to welcoming all of you to share more of these fantastic events, spiritual opportunities, charitable functions and athletic meetings in Christ’s fellowship.
Happy nameday to Spyros and Spyridoula today, to Eleftherios and Eleftheria on Monday and Χρόνια Πολλά to our Community, celebrating our gorgeous Chapel, and all our amazing contributors who are making the life of the Parish so beautiful. See you all in our home, next to our house, Saint Demetrios Church.
+Protopresbyter Nikiforos Fakinos
This Christmas, we can give a gift to our own children in the Parish, by donating much needed supplies for their education and our Schools. Please, click on the link below and select which gift you would like to offer to support our youth:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3E1ZXI9P6HD4E?ref_=wl_share
Sacred Services
1) Sunday, December 14th, 11th Sunday of Luke, Orthros and Divine Liturgy starting at 9 am.
2) Memorial: Sofia Efstathiou (3 years). Coffee fellowship sponsored by the family of Sofia Efstathiou. May her memory be eternal.
3) Church School is in Session.
4) Saint Eleftherios, Monday, December 15th with Orthros and Divine Liturgy at 9 am.
5) Sunday Before the Nativity, December 21st, Orthros and Divine Liturgy starting at 9 am.
6) Christmas Hours, Wednesday, December 24th, at 10 am.
7) Christmas Eve Divine Liturgy, Wednesday, December 24th at 6 pm.
8) Christmas morning Orthros and Divine Liturgy, Thursday, December 25th, at 9 am.
9) Sunday after Christmas, December 28th, with Orthros and Divine Liturgy starting at 9 am.
Religious and Cultural Education
1) Orthodox Study discussion, Thursdays at 7:30 pm in our Church Hall.
2) Little Angels Thursdays from 11 am – 12:30 noon. We look forward to seeing our babies in Church! This Thursday, celebration with Santa.
3) KANARIS Dance practice, Saturday, December 20th at 10 am.
4) David and Georgia Pereira Church School Christmas Pageant Rehearsal on Sunday, December 14th after the service. The Christmas Pageant will take place on Sunday, December 21st after the service. Our Rev. Nikiforos Fakinos Hellenic School will perform the carols and a Christmas celebration program.
Youth Ministries
1) Hope and Joy: Please join us on Saturday, December 13th from 7 - 8:30pm for our annual “Christmas Storytime with Father Nikiforos” free event and Treasure Hunt game. New Year’s Celebration, December 31st from 10 am – 12 noon. Drop off event.
2) GREEK HERITAGE ISLANDERS GAME for the NY Islanders / Vancouver Canucks home game on Friday, December 19th at 7pm at UBS.
3) GOYA, Friday, December 12th at 7:30 pm.
4) Jr. GOYA on December 27th at 7 pm.
Celebrations and Fundraisers
1) Pet Photos with Santa, Friday, December 12th, 2025, from 3 – 5 pm, at the Courtyard by the Chapel.
2) Philoptochos Bake Sale, Sunday, December 21st after the service. Philoptochos is also taking orders for Vasilopita pies; please, contact Sophia Pappas or Eleni Frasiolas.
3) Please support our Christmas Card to send your wishes to the entire Parish this festive Nativity season. Call our office to include your family in the Card: (516) 379-1368.
SAINT ELEFTHERIOS
Our beloved Community celebrates the feast of the Chapel of Saint Eleftherios the Holy Martyr. The Chapel is a place of worship and a vessel of divine grace and salvation. On weekdays, there are many Divine Liturgies for the memory of various Saints throughout the year. Some of the spiritual events that take place in the Chapel are Vespers, Paraklesis (Invocation to the Virgin Mary) and Compline services, as well as of confessions and Agiasmos (or sanctification of Holy Water) services. Many blessings are offered in the beautiful, Byzantine Chapel of the Community.
The Patron Saint of the Chapel, Saint Eleftherios, is an example for all Christians, especially for the youth. He became a deacon at the age of 15 and a priest at the age of 19. 6 years later he became Bishop of Rome! Saint Eleftherios offered his God-given talents in the service of Christ’s vineyard without delay or hesitation. He was eager to serve God and to labor for the salvation of the world. His mission was to evangelize the people, teaching all to follow the commandments of God and baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Saint Eleftherios took important decisions early in his life. He did not procrastinate, as some people chose to do when it comes to doing the right thing in this life. There are persons who hesitate to do the right thing, such as charity, going to Church, helping a good cause, etc. The more we delay to do a good deed, the more opportunities we miss to express our faith and show our love to God. It has been said that “the road of tomorrow leads to the avenue of never.” The many delays might destroy our chances to offer something good in this life. It is a blessing that people serve the Church and come to Church without waiting for the eleventh hour. It is beautiful when young people serve the Community with love and dedication. Saint Eleftherios certainly inspires them to do so.
Saint Eleftherios also teaches us to be courageous. People might persecute us for living a life of virtue. There are young people who are made fun of for praying, doing their cross in public, coming to Church, maintaining their purity and abstaining from smoking and drugs. Saint Eleftherios inspires us to withstand the persecutions of others. He suffered many tortures professing his faith and converting even his persecutors! God gave him strength not to feel the pain, but to praise him even during the most painful martyrdom. We can also look to God for strength and support, during the adversities and tribulations of life. We can all honor Saint Eleftherios and by following his example of holiness, perseverance and decisiveness, we not only honor him, but we also earn eternal glory!
+Protopresbyter Nikiforos Fakinos
ΑΓΙΟΣ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΟΣ
Οι Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί εκφράζουν ιδιαίτερη αγάπη για τους Αγίους τους. Όλοι μας τιμούμε την μνήμη των εκλεκτών του Θεού που μεσιτεύουν για τις ψυχές μας από την Επουράνιο Χώρα της Βασιλείας του Θεού. Στα παιδιά μας, δίνουμε ονόματα Αγίων ώστε να έχουν θετικά πρότυπα στη ζωή τους. Στις Εκκλησίες μας, τιμούμε τις μορφές των ανθρώπων που βίωσαν τις αρχές του Ευαγγελίου, που έκαναν την πίστη τρόπο ζωής. Στην ιδιαίτερη πνευματική μας ομήγυρη, την Κοινότητα του Αγίου Μεγαλομάρτυρος Δημητρίου, αριθμούμε πλειάδα εορτών ανά το έτος στις οποίες συντρέχουν οι πιστοί ώστε να πανηγυρίσουν την μνήμη των Αγίων και να λάβουν τη Χάρη και την προστασία τους. Είχαμε την ευλογία να γίνουν τα ονομαστήρια του ιερού Προσκυνήματος του Αγίου Μεγαλομάρτυρος Ελευθερίου, ο οποίος εορτάζεται στις 15 Δεκεμβρίου. Όχι τυχαία, στο θησαυρό του Αγιολογίου, με τους Παρακλητικούς κανόνες όλων των Αγίων, τεθησαύρισται η Ακολουθία του Αγίου Δημητρίου και του Αγίου Ελευθερίου συναπτά, η μία μετά την άλλη. Έτσι και στην Κοινότητά μας, τα θυσιαστήρια του ναού, το ένα μετά το άλλο, είναι αφιερωμένα στους δύο αυτούς σημαντικούς Μάρτυρες και Προστάτες της Εκκλησίας.
Ο Άγιος Ελευθέριος ήταν από νέος αφοσιωμένος στην υπηρεσία του Χριστού. Χειροτονήθηκε σε εφηβική ηλικία διάκονος και ιερέας, για να γίνει επίσκοπος Ρώμης ένας από τους πιο νέους ιεράρχες της πίστεως. Διώχθηκε και καταπολεμήθηκε από τους ειδωλολάτρες, αλλά εκείνος με αγάπη κατάφερε να προσυλητίσει ακόμη και τους στρατιώτες-διώκτες του. Μαρτύρησε με φρικτό θάνατο, αλλά ο ίδιος ηρωϊκά και με θάρρος υπέμεινε τα βασανιστήρια και τις ταπεινώσεις. Συγχωρώντας τους εκτελεστές του, αινούσε το Θεό, και δεν ένιωθε πόνο παρά μόνο τη Χάρη από το στεφάνι του Μαρτυρίου και της Αγιότητος.
Οι σύγχρονοι Χριστιανοί, επίσης διωκόμαστε από την ειδωλολατρεία και τον παγανισμό. Από νεαρή ηλικία, τα παιδιά και όλοι μας έχουμε να αντιμετωπίσουμε τις Χάρυβδες και τις θέλξεις του υλισμού, του πλουτισμού και του καταναλωτισμού. Αναγκάζεται η νέα γεννιά να βάζει σε ανώτερη προτεραιότητα τα χρήματα, τη μόδα, την διασκέδαση, παρά την ηθική ζωή και την εποικοδομητική ψυχαγωγία. Στα αρχαία Ελληνικά, διασκεδάζω σημαίνει διασκορπίζομαι. Διασκορπίζονται πολλοί νέοι μας με ψυχοφθόρα μουσική, ναρκωτικά, βία και ανηθικότητα. Αντί να ψυχαγωγούνται, να άγουν την ψυχή τους σε ανώτερα επίπεδα, την διασκορπίζουν και την πετάνε στα σκουπίδια της σύγχρονης διαφθοράς. Τα εκατομμύρια των εκτρώσεων, η επέκταση του Έϊτζ, η διάβρωση των ηθών και η διάδοση των ναρκωτικών επιβεβαιώνουν με ακρίβεια την δίωξη των νέων μας από τα σύγχρονα μέσα του παγανισμού και της αθεΐας.
Ο Άγιος Ελευθέριος, ως νέος Χριστιανός που αντιστάθηκε σε ορατούς και αοράτους εχθρούς κατά της Χριστιανοσύνης, μας εμπνέει να είμαστε δυνατοί και να ζούμε σύμφωνα με τις αρχές του Χριστού. Να απελευθερωθούμε από τα δεσμά των μέσων μαζικής διαφθοράς και να έχουμε δική μας γνώμη και άποψη για το πως οφείλουμε να ζούμε. Να είμαστε ελεύθεροι μέσα από την αλήθεια του Χριστού και να μαρτυρούμε την πίστη που σώζει τον άνθρωπο. Την Ορθόδοξο πίστη της Εκκλησίας μας.
+Πρωτοπρεσβύτερος Νικηφόρος Φακίνος
SAINT ANDREW AND THE SAINTS OF THE WEEK
Dear members of the Saint Demetrios family,
This week was marked with the celebration of significant Saints (and the name-days of many Parishioners and family members). On Sunday, we had the feast of Saint Andreas, the Protector and Patron Saint of our Mother Church, the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and Patron of Patras, Cyprus, Ukraine and Scotland (along with Great Britain). He was the first called Apostle and his martyrdom was by crucifixion; out of humility he requested that his cross is placed sideways, so that he is not crucified like Jesus. This explains the X shape in the British flag (in honor of Saint Andrew) superimposed by the Cross in honor of Saint George.
On Thursday, we celebrated Saint Barbara the great martyr. She is a miraculous Saint and she is also a protector for abused children and for people suffering from pandemics and contagious diseases. She is also the Patron Saint of the Greek military forces, το πυροβολικό. Every year, in my sermon on the feast of Saint Barbara, I make special reference to the sacred duty we all have to protect the innocent and angelic children. They are surrounded by corruption and evil, that invades their lives through atheism, moral deception, corrupt social media and public persecution. As the protector of our Philoptochos, she inspires our sisterhood to defend the defenseless, to protect the unprotected and to aid the helpless. Yesterday, the Philoptochos Christmas celebration was wonderful and all our ladies shared exciting fellowship while assisting a worthy cause. And one of the most worthy causes is to protect our innocent children.
Often times, children are pressured to deny their Christian identity and values, especially in School and College. The sanctity of their life is not respected before and not even after birth. International traffickers and exploiters use and abuse innocent lives and especially children from suffering countries and broken families. Recent arrests of such abusers are only the tip of the iceberg, data shows that thousands are abused daily and such crimes are not punished as they should. Movies and series on famous networks and platforms romanticize abuse; directors and film producers, although with guilty verdicts against them, roam free and with punishments much lesser considering the gravity of the crimes against children. The newest initiative of the Archdiocese is to protect the innocent, and the new office to support victims of human trafficking was been blessed by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and has supported so many ailing souls.
On December 6th we celebrate the memory of Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor. Saint Nicholas is an example of charity, philanthropy and care for the meek. He lived an ascetic lifestyle and he maintained no personal belongings; he was a monk and a Bishop that should inspire all Christians that happiness in the simple things of life. Saint Nicholas was very discrete when helping someone; he did not want his good deeds to be known, unlike some people who advertise their philanthropy. He helped especially the orphans, the widows, the lame, the sick and the elderly. He gave smile in the faces that were sprinkled by tears. He gave joy to the hearts that were broken by sorrow. He was the example of faith and piety, as his hymn (Apolytikion) indicates. He is an example to be followed and imitated by more and more Christians. Such an example inspired the faithful to announce at his ordination that his is “worthy;” and at his funeral to exclaim that he is “HOLY!”
On Tuesday, we celebrate Saint Anna, who is also the Protector of expecting mothers and couples who wish to have children; We ask for the Saint’s intercessions as she unceasingly prays for the families; the grandmother of our Lord, who miraculously brought us the blessed Theotokos, by the divine will. Our children are the greatest gift of God in our lives. In Church, we nourish them spiritually, we educate them and edify them in faith, we prepare them for life, and we instill in them the values and moral principles of our Christian ethos.
The Saints the we celebrate these days, have one thing in common. Saint Nicholas was instrumental in giving gifts for the families and children who were needy (which also became the legend of Santa Nicholaus, Santa Claus, in the West). Saint Barbara protects the innocent victims of abuse. Saint Anna blesses the unborn, the newly conceived and all pure infants. Saint Andrew, the founder of the Mother Church, gave me personally the gift of Apostolic Succession, along with thousands of other priests, so that we may baptize, offer the sacraments and minister to the children. The Church loves our children; this is the best place for them to make life-long friends and cultivate their ethos. This is where they belong, where we all belong!
+Protopresbyter Nikiforos Fakinos
This Christmas, we can give a gift to our own children in the Parish, by donating much needed supplies for their education and our Schools. Please, click on the link below and select which gift you would like to offer to support our youth: