Saint Demetrios Citizens of the Year 2024

St Demetrios Recognition

Please join in congratulating the following parishioners for their significant contributions to St Demetrios

2024 Citizens of the Year

Vasili Dikeakos and Mike Gikas

It is with great pleasure that we award Vasili Dikeakos and Mike Gikas as our male citizens of the year 2024.

Vasili Dikeakos

Vasili Dikeakos is one of the most exemplary parishioners. He and his wife Katherine attend church almost every Sunday with their children. He helps everywhere as needed, and he steps up when asked, and volunteers to lead in ministries.

Vasili helps with our festival, and he serves on the dance board and is the current president. This is also his and Katherine’s second year voluntarily taking over the youth ministry program, and the list goes on. He has excelled in being a great citizen for our Church and our community.

 

Mike Gikas

Mike has been a long-time member of St. Demetrios and for several years, served as a Parish Council member.

As the chairman of the Procurement Committee for over two decades, Mike dedicated many hours over the summer and fall to ensure the success of our annual Greek Festival.  Currently, Mike chairs the Papouthes Group Ministry, organizing monthly lunches and fellowship for our senior male parishioners. Mike is also involved with the Kritiko Pelagos (Cretan group) Program.

On a personal note, Mike is a very kind and caring individual with a strong Orthodox faith who exemplifies the characteristics of a citizen of the year.

Duaa Bayouk and Patti Kost

It is with great pleasure that we award Duaa Bayouk and Patti Kost as female citizens of the year 2024.

Duaa Bayouk

Duaa Bayouk volunteers her time to Saint Demetrios unconditionally whenever she can, helping with all of the baking projects the Philoptochos handles, This and That setup and many other activities. Although she has a challenged child, she finds time in her schedule along with her husband Bassam to volunteer for whatever project we have going. It has been noticed that whenever Duaa volunteers, she is the first to arrive and the last to leave. These reasons and other are why we are proud to honor Duaa with the COTY award.

Patti Kost

Patti has been a part of our community for over 60 years. She has been a member of Goya/Yal, a Sunday school teacher, mom’s group
member, a leader in Philoptochos as secretary, and visiting home bound parishioners. Patti always has a smile and a loving heart for all who she encounters. Patti is an exceptional person and a stellar, long-serving member of our community who deserves this recognition.

2024 Special Recognition Axios Award

Bob Read

Bob and his wife Despina have been fixtures at Saint Demetrios since joining the church is 2009. The list of projects that Bob has been involved in would be nearly endless. He is currently on the Parish Council and has served on the PC in the past as well. Where there are lighting or electrical issues, there you will find Bob, especially if a taller than average person is required. Bob and Des took on the responsibility of decorating the church for Christmas for many years, and Bob hand made over 150 wooden crosses. He has been an avid supporter of Philoptochos, decorating, shopping and volunteering in many, many ways. Bob led his own son Brian to Orthodoxy and baptized him as well. He currently heads the welcoming committee, and you will find him nearly every Sunday, greeting parishioners and visitors alike, with a hug or a handshake. There's a reason Father Photios calls him "the most hugged guy at Saint Demetrios." We are blessed to have Bob as part of our parish, and we are honored to present him with the Axios award. AXIOS! WORTHY! AXIOS!

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