St. Demetrios Parish in Warren, Ohio Celebrates Centennial
On Saturday evening, St. Demetrios Church in Warren, Ohio, celebrated 100 years at its Centennial Banquet, notably just days after the Feast Day of its Patron Saint. Hosted at the parish's Community Center, the event emphasized “Honoring our History – Envisioning our Future,” and was attended by Their Eminences Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, Rev. Fathers Constantine Valantasis and Demetri Constantine, Parish Council President Mr. Steve Zervas, members of and leadership of Philoptochos and other parish organizations.
The Honorable Mayor of Warren, Mr. William D. Franklin, also joined the celebrations and issued a citation declaring October 29 “St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church” Day in the city. Mayor Franklin also presented Archbishop Elpidophoros with the key to the City on the occasion.
Founded by the local diaspora community in Warren, the parish of St. Demetrios predates the 1922 establishment of the Archdiocese of America itself, and is also home to a number of pillars of Greek Orthodoxy in the United States, including Former Archbishop of America Spyridon, and Mr. John Payiavlas, officer of the non-profit organization The Friends of St. Nicholas and also present at the event. Archbishop Elpidophoros said, “Here in Warren, Ohio – much of the history of the Church of America has been written, and you will write much more in your next hundred years!”
Earlier that evening, the Centennial celebration officially commenced with the service of Great Vespers and concluded with a Hierarchal Divine Liturgy the next morning. In a homily on the Gospel reading of Lazaros and the “Rich Man,” the Archbishop fittingly paused on the idea of "the banquet,” stating:
“In this wonderful time when we observe the accomplishments of Saint Demetrios in Warren, be certain that God is not finished with you yet. The Banquet of Faith that you engage every week here is the miracle of God that calls all people to a life of spiritual satisfaction and peace. It is not a Banquet for one … it is a Banquet for all. It is God’s way of feeding us with His Love and Mercy, so that we may share them with others. We are fed to feed others. To give to others. To serve others.
“Thus, in this precious Parish of Saint Demetrios, where so many have given of themselves so that this milestone may be enjoyed, I encourage all of you to continue in these wonderful traditions. Keep nourishing one another with love, with faith, with hope in tomorrow.” (Full Homily)
