Welcome to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church

The mission of our web site is to provide an instant and accessible forum of information about our parish, its families, our culture and our faith, Orthodox Christianity. It is intended to be educational, informative and spiritual, with the ultimate goal being the spreading of His Word.

We welcome all resident and non-resident Orthodox and non-Orthodox faithful to our church and invite you to join us for altar services, educational programs and events.

St. Demetrios Mission Statement

"To proclaim the Gospel of Christ in the Orthodox Christian Tradition while creating a vibrant, loving, compassionate and supportive community."  

Thank you George and Andrew George and Andreas were "St. Nicholas" and distributed candy canes and icons to our Sunday School classes on Sunday, December 2nd. Potluck after Liturgy on Thursday, December 6 The Moms, Dads, and Tots are for families of all ages, but most specifically geared to children up to age 5. This group allows parents to bring their children to church and learn about their faith as well as meet fellow Orthodox Christian parents and children.    Come and meet us in the St. Demetrios Small Hall on Thursday, December 6th after Divine Liturgy.  Activities to include:  a story about St. Nicholas; a craft; kids will be asked to leave their shoes outside of the hall so Saint Nicholas can put chocolate coins in their shoes; and also take a Saint Nicholas picture! If you know of anyone who would like to join, please direct them to our Facebook page under St. Demetrios Mommy & Me or have them email us: Arianna Dumont: anjdumont@gmail.com Eirene Bekris: Eirene_georgiou@hotmail.com  Yiayias & Friends Luncheon Thursday, December 6 at Varlamos Pizza     Our December Yiayias & Friends luncheon will be held on Thursday, December 6 at Varlamos Pizzeria, located at 3615 NE 45th.  Since December 6 is the Feast Day of St. Nicholas, we will meet for lunch after Divine Liturgy, at approximately 12:00 noon. There will be a gift exchange for those who wish to participate.  If you bring a gift, you can take a gift.  Gifts should be around $10.00. For reservations or questions, please contact Mary Damascus, preferably by email at mndamascus@comcast.net or 509-951-2975.   Everyone is welcome--you don't have to be a Yiayia to join us!!! Sunday, December 9 - General Assembly We need your votes to pass the budget and elect new parish counsel members.  Assembly starts at noon in the large hall. This and That Shop Christmas Sale Sunday, December 9 On Sunday, December 9, 2018, explore treasures for Christmas shopping after Divine Liturgy during Coffee Hour. The This and That Shop has deeply discounted their Christmas items and will hold a pop-up sale in the foyer outside of the large hall. Philoptochos Christmas Bake Sale - Order Online Pre-Order by Sunday, December 9   Our annual Christmas Bake Sale will be Sunday, December 16th after Divine Liturgy.Pre-orders are due by Sunday, December 9th and will be available for pickup on Sunday, December 16th. ORDER ONLINE. We will also be taking orders during coffee hours. Be sure to place your order early so you aren't disappointed.    Tsoureki   $6 Melamakarona   $10/dozen Kourabiethes   $15/dozen Koulourakia   $6/dozen Round Vasilopita (with coin)   $15 Paximathia  $8/dozen Orders can also be placed by calling  Lena LaMarche at 425-486-6899.   Thank you for your support of Philoptochos! This and That Shop News Donations taken all year long! Our ladies are frequently asked if donations can be made to the This and That Shop at other times of the year and not just at festival time.  The answer is YES!  Just mark your boxes This And That, bring them to church, and ask that they be put into room 110.  If you would like a tax form, Karen has them in the office.  Excellent if you would like to donate before year's end.   VIP Christmas Luncheon Monday, December 10 at Varlamos Pizza     Please join us December 10, 20018 for a VIP Christmas Luncheon.  Seating begins at noon.  We request that everyone RSVP to Vicki Pallis at vicki@pallis.net or 206-948-2922 or Kris Dudunakis at 206-669-6599 in order for us to plan our food accordingly. Sanity through Prayer and Fellowship Moms, Dads and Tots monthly gathering: Tuesday, December 18 This will be a time where moms or dads can come and gather through prayer and fellowship with their fellow parent-friends and their kids. Please join us in Saint Demetrios's small hall from 12:30 -2:30 pm, on Tuesday, December 18.  Please bring your own lunch :) Next meeting date is Tuesday, January 22nd. Sunday School News Be a part of the Sunday School Christmas Play     Annual Christmas Play:   All Sunday School Students are invited to participate in our Sunday School Christmas Play on Sunday, December 23rd after church.  Children are needed as Narrators, Actors, Singers and Musicians.  SIGN UP ONLINE! The following parts are still open: Wise Men, Sheep, Cow, Donkey, Emperor, Shepherd. Musicians to play:  The First Noel, Away in the Manger, Silent Night, Hark the Herald Angels Sing and Joy to the World.   Play Practice Schedule: Sunday, December 9 - Practice for Everyone! Sunday, December 16 - Dress Rehearsal - Practice for Everyone! Sunday, December 23 - Performance No Sunday School Class on Sunday, December 30, 2018.   Announcement for Sunday School Students and Parents We have been asked to be extra quiet and respectful as we line up for Holy Communion.   Thank you in advance for your cooperation! Sunday School Christmas Service Project Help us purchase 100 new sleeping bags and blankets Our Sunday School Christmas Service Project is supporting a bedding drive for the St. Philaret the Almsgiver Feed the Homeless Program, an outreach ministry of St. Demetrios.  Over the past 14 years, St. Philaret has served over 25,000 hot meals and distributed over 3,000 pounds of clothing, bedding, and toiletries to the homeless on the streets of Seattle.   We are collecting funds to purchase 100 blankets/sleeping bags to distribute to the homeless during the cold winter months.  We are also accepting new or gently used blankets and sleeping bags.   Please bring your donations to your child's Sunday School classroom by December 23, 2018.   Sunday School will also be sponsoring the coffee hour on December 23 + December 30, 2018; all proceeds will be donated to the bedding drive.  Thank you and God bless you for your support of this during this season of giving. Greek Dance News Candy Fundraiser & Baklava Sale BUY SEE's CANDY!   All dancers are selling See's Candy now through December 10th.  Find a dancer..... buy some candy.  Dancers will be available on Sundays to take your order or contact  Sophia Katinas.   DANCERS: Deadline to turn in orders is December 10th Prizes for Dancers: - Highest selling individual dancer will receive a $25 Amazon gift card! - Highest selling dance group will receive a pizza party!!   Click Here for the December edition of the Dance Newsletter "O Horos"   Baklava Sale - Every year at this time we take orders for baklava - full pans ($110 for approx. 170 pieces), one-half pan ($60 for approx. 80 pieces), 10 pieces for $12, or 25 pieces for $30.  Contact Maria Barbas to order.   New Years Eve Party This year the Dance Program will not be sponsoring the New Year's Eve party because we do not have a chairperson and live music was not available. Hopefully, we will next year. Orthodoxy on Tap Tuesday, December 11 at the U-Village Ram Orthodoxy on Tap if for all college students and young adults. This ministry is a chance for us to meet and talk about our faith in a social environment. Meetings are usually held on the second Tuesday of the each month.   Our next meeting is Tuesday, December 11th at 6:30 pm at the RAM in the U-Village. Please RSVP if you can attend, contact Lefteris Sitaras at 206-660-2779 Orthodox Youth Winter Retreat Registration Ends on December 12 We welcome all Orthodox Junior High and High School Youth and their friends to an opportunity for growth in spirit through worship, prayer, good food and games! Please join us on Saturday, January 19 through Monday, January 21, 2019. Go to:  Papouthes Group News Thursday, December 13 at Varlamos Pizza   Our next Papouthes group luncheon will be on December 13 at Varlamos Pizzeria at 3617 NE 45th St. in Seattle at 12:00 noon. Those that wish to carpool may meet at St. Demetrios at 11:00 am. Please RSVP so we can let the restaurant know how many seats to reserve. Thanks!    For reservations or questions, please contact Manuel Tramountanas at 206-783-4466 or agapemom@hotmail.com 2018 Parish Christmas Card You are cordially invited to join us and send Christmas Greetings to all our Parishioners and Friends on our St. Demetrios mailing list. Please email your name as you wish it to appear on the Christmas Card  before the deadline (Friday, December 14th, 2018).  Please mail your donation of $20 payable to: St. Demetrios-Christmas Card to St. Demetrios. Call the church office with your information and pay by phone with a credit card.  Call 206-631-2500. Thank you for your support and for the love and joy you share with the other Parishioners. Bookstore News New Censers Arriving The sound and smell of censers and incense are familiar to Orthodox Christians.  Many swinging censers used during church services have four chains, reminding us of the four evangelists; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and have twelve bells for the 12 Apostles. At home, censers often stand on a table. Reading in Malachi 1:10-11," says the Lord Almighty," "...and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name."  The fragrant smoke from incense symbolizes our prayers rising to God and helps us to remember to pray.   During the Christmas season we are reminded that the three Magi gave gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to celebrate the Nativity of our Lord. New censers, in a variety of styles, arrive this week, and make beautiful additions to prayer corners or can be given as  thoughtful Christmas gifts.  The bookstore also carries a variety of incense.  With only 20 days left until Christmas, stop by the St. Demetrios Bookstore for a variety of special gifts for family and friends and pick up your Orthodox Christmas cards as well.     New items include beautiful Byzantine doorway blessing plaques (15" x 21") and Jesus Prayer plaques.  The Bookstore also has new icons of angels, the Nativity and St. Iakovos.     Visit the Bookstore and see the many beautiful items that can enrich you and your family's Nativity journey. St. Demetrios Bookstore    Christmas Caroling around Montlake Monday, December 17 Everyone is invited to join us for a night of Christmas Caroling around the church neighborhood followed by Hot Chocolate in the Fr. Homer Library.   Please join us at 6 pm. to practice the songs.  We will be in the neighborhood from 6:30 -7:30 pm.   Please contact Lefteris Sitaras to attend. YAL Christmas Party  Friday, December 21 at Varlamos Pizza All are welcome to the biggest Seattle Greek-American Christmas party of the decade on Friday,  December 21st beginning at 9 pm at Varlamos Pizzeria.  $20 cover includes a complimentary Christmas drink, a raffle ticket, appetizers, and a picture with Santa Stelios.  DJ Yanni Vlahas will be in the house making sure everyone brings the Kefi!!! Raffle Prizes may or may not include....a wine basket, gift cards, plus much much more (we're still working on it).   Feel free to be tardy, but please RSVP for the party.  A portion of proceeds will benefit St. Demetrios' Moms, Pops & Tots Ministry. Please RSVP on Facebook. GOYA Luncheon Sunday, January 6      All GOYAns (youth in grades 7 - 12) are invited to our monthly GOYA meeting on Sunday, January 6 after Sunday School.   Please meet in the large hall by the stage after Sunday School ends.   Contact Pam Plumis for Tickets at pplumis@comcast.net

St. Photios Greek Orthodox Shrine Annual Essay Contest with Greeks in Washington The St. Photios Foundation, Inc. invites all 13-19 year olds to submit a 1,000 word essay to the St Photios Essay Committee for the annual Essay Contest.  Essay writers may choose between the following two topics: There are many historic and sacred sites throughout the world. What makes St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine a historic and significant site for Orthodox Christians?  OR  Virtually every American born in the United States can trace their history to an ancestor who was first to arrive in America. Compare and contrast your family's Immigrant history with the immigrant history of the Greeks who came to the New World under the British Indentured Servitude Act in 1768.  For more information visit www.stphotios.org.  Submissions accepted through January 7, 2019.  Results posted February 1, 2019.

H e l p  u s  C o m p o s t  a t  S t .  D e m e t r io s Reminder: ALL compostable coffee cups (see picture) need to be thrown away in the Compost Bins at our Church.    Every Sunday the trash bin is filled with paper cups that can be composted.  It saves the Church loads of money to switch from garbage to compost. Compost bins are GREEN.  Please throw paper towels, paper cups, paper plates and food leftovers in the compost bins.   If it isn't Plastic or Metal or Glass...we must compost it.