Agape Special Needs Ministry
The Agape Special Needs Ministry is dedicated to offering an environment of full inclusion and acceptance to Orthodox Christians with physical or emotional challenges. The primary goal is to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment where all are able to come, learn about our Lord and worship regardless of their abilities. The ministry’s purpose is to offer individuals with special needs an opportunity to worship our faith in an accepting church environment and raise awareness to the larger community for inclusion and acceptance.
Contact: Peter Panagopoulos
Inner City Outreach
The mission of St. Demetrios Inner-City Outreach is to serve the homeless in Boston by volunteering at St. Francis House, the largest non-sectarian day shelter in the state. Volunteers help in food services and clothing distribution. Transportation is provided. The outreach team usually serves once a month on a date determined by the shelter’s needs that is posted online in the monthly church calendar. At St. Francis House there are also opportunities to serve individually, assisting with mock interviews in a job training program as well as working in food services and clothing distribution.
An annual winter clothing drive takes place in January at St. Demetrios to replenish the winter supplies at St. Francis House. Collection boxes for gently used winter jackets and shoes are located outside the coat room in the main lobby of the church.
Philoptochos Scholarship Awards
For almost four decades, the Philoptochos Society has presented scholarship awards to aspiring young people from our community to recognize their accomplishments across a broad spectrum of involvement from love of the arts, academic achievement, social justice, service to others and more. The program was established in recognition of some of our parish’s most treasured former members by their families and given with a particular emphasis in the areas of life that were important to those in whose name the awards are given.
Awards are available to both graduate and undergraduate students and are to be used for any educational expenses. Applicant or applicant’s family must have been members in good standing of our parish for at least the last two years, must be enrolled or accepted into a degree-granting, accredited college/university in the United States and must be a U.S. citizen. Donations may be made now and throughout the year to commemorate special occasions, such as graduations, anniversaries, birthdays and holidays and to celebrate a life. Acknowledgments will be sent to donors and those being honored. A gift of $1,000 would enable you to name a one-year award in memory or in honor of a loved one.
Contact: Nancy Agris Savage
St. Nicholas Giving Tree
Since 2002, our community has brought the miracle of the most holy season of Christ’s birth to 3,500 children under the care of the Mass. Department of Children and Families. Each year in November, the names and “wish lists” of these children are available in the parish hall on three consecutive Sundays, with both families and individual members of our parish choosing to sponsor one or more children.
The “wish list” has been compiled by the child and his or her social worker and is meant only as a guide. Even children without homes have dreams at Christmas. Parishioners buy what they can – and then maybe a little more. All gifts are enclosed within one large wrapped box or gift bag, with the card showing the child’s name and number securely affixed to the package, and returned to St. Demetrios, usually by the second Sunday in December. The generosity that has been exhibited by our community continues to make this ministry one of St. Demetrios‘ most special traditions, bringing together parish “Santa’s” of all ages to share the light of this most blessed holiday with those who need it most, Christ’s children.
Contact: Nancy Agris Savage
November to Remember Veterans Project - In Memory of 2nd Lt. Ian Thomas McVey, USMC
Annually during the month of November, the St. Demetrios Philoptochos seeks donations for Veterans including new household items, turkeys, canned/nonperishable items and monetary donation to buy goods. Through the generosity of the parishioners of St. Demetrios the drive donates housewarming baskets and complete turkey dinners to Veterans.
The Housewarming Baskets are delivered through the Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos to the VA New England Healthcare System, one of 21 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for homeless veterans; male, female and families transitioning to independent living. The complete turkey dinners are delivered to Veterans through the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department.
Contact: Chris and Eugenia Kourlos
St. Demetrios Bookstore
The St. Demetrios Bookstore plays an important role in the spiritual lives of our parishioners. It provides many resources to enrich one’s knowledge in the Christian faith, the Orthodox spiritual life, and church and cultural traditions.
The mission of the bookstore is to provide many inspirational books for adults and children, as well as icons, crosses and other religious items. Parishioners are encouraged to stop by and view the rich collection of items, some of which come directly from the monasteries of Greece.
Contact: Carol and Arthur Loridas
Habitat for Humanity
Contact: Gina Pagonis