OUR PATRON SAINT

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Saint Demetrios was a Thessalonian, a most pious son of pious and noble parents, and a teacher of the Faith of Christ.

When Maximian first came to Thessalonica in 303 A.D, he raised the Saint to the rank of Duke of Thessaly. When it was discovered that the Saint was a Christian, he was arrested and kept bound in a bath-house. While the games were under way in the city, Maximian was a spectator there.

A certain friend of his, a barbarian who was a notable wrestler, Lyaeus by name, waxing haughty because of the height and strength of his body, boasted in the stadium and challenged the citizens to a contest with him. All that fought with him were defeated.  Seeing this, a certain youth named Nestor, aquaintance of Demetrios’, came to the Saint in the bath-house and asked his blessing to fight Lyaeus single-handed.

Receiving this blessing and sealing himself with the sign of the precious Cross, he presented himself in the stadium, and said, “O God of Demetrios, help me!” and straightway he engaged Lyaeus in combat and smote him with a mortal blow to the heart, leaving the former boaster lifeless upon the earth.

Maximian was sorely grieved over this, and when he learned who was the cause of this defeat, he commanded straightway and Demetrios was pierced with lances while he was yet in the bath-house, As for Nestor, Maximian commanded that he be slain with his own sword.

Fr. Dimitrios Gianniou was ordained into Priesthood by Metropolitan Sotirios on September 11, 1984. He received his Offikion of Economos in 1990 and his Offikion of Protopresbyter in May 2016. 

Father Gianniou has served many communities across Canada, including the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Thunder Bay (1984-1989), Panagia Greek Orthodox Church in Hamilton (1989-1991), Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Laval, QC (1991-1997), St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Winnipeg (1997-2008). and St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Hamilton (2008-present). 

Father Gianniou is a teacher of Byzantine music and taught at the Metropolis’ Theological Academy in Toronto for seven years (2008-2015). He has also taught Byzantine music in the Communities he has served across Canada (Holy Trinity in Thunder Bay, Panagia in Hamilton, Holy Cross in Laval, St. Demetrios in Winnipeg and St. Demetrios in Hamilton) 

Parish Priest: Fr. Dimitrios Gianniou

President: Anastasios (Tom) Zafiridis

Vice-President: Frank Spiridoulias

Secretary: Tina Edwards

Treasurer: Dimitrios Nikolaidis

Treasurer for Senior’s Building:

Nick Triantafillou

Advisor to the Board: Nathan Hondronicols

Dance Group: Sue Zafiridis and Tony Halkeas

Building Committee: Athanasios Kavouras 

GOYA: Sophia Zafiridis-Savruk and Fr. Dimitrios Gianniou

Festivals: George Thersidis

Food, Beverages & Funerals : Frank Spiridoulias

Entertainment: (By Committee)

Board Members: Elias Thersidis, Peter Kourtakis, Fotini Edwards (Greek School), John Kartas, and Eleftherios Tsiliganos

Community Secretary: Ekaterini (Rena) Georgakopoulos

Cantors: Peter Toublis, Nick Miminas and George Sholarchos.

Role of the Community Council

The role and responsibilities of the Church Council members is to represent their parish and the Orthodox Christian faith as leaders of the community. The Council consists of the Priest and the elected members.

Mission of the Community Council

Our goal as the parish council is to practice and proclaim the Orthodox Christian Faith pure by setting an example for the parish and ensure that we provide an enjoyable and comfortable experience through our administration services towards our membership and non-members entering the front doors every day.

As ambassadors of Faith and your council representative, we encourage you to feel free and approach us for any inquiries you may have.

Council Meetings occur on the First Monday of every month at 7:30 pm unless otherwise communicated.