St. Demetrios Parish in Saco, ME Celebrates Centennial

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

          His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios presided at the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of St. Demetrios in the rustic church of St. Demetrios in Saco, ME which celebrated its centennial.  Joining the celebration was Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, area clergy, and friends of the parish.  Following the Divine Liturgy all enjoyed fellowship at a luncheon sponsored by the community.

          The St. Demetrios Parish was established in 1909, the first Greek Orthodox Church in the state. On September 17, 1914, a Certificate of Organization of a Corporation was granted to the “Greek Orthodox Community, Biddeford and Saco.”   For many years the church was located in Biddeford.  

          In 1994, the Parish purchased 11 acres on Bradley Street in Saco.  On May 1, 1999, Metropolitan Methodios presided at the groundbreaking.  On January 20, 2000, like the pioneers did in 1937, parishioners carried icons and furnishings from the old church in Biddeford to the new church in Saco.  On Palm Sunday, April 23, 2000, Metropolitan Methodios officiated at the Thyranixia to the new church.

          The magnificent iconography on the walls of the Byzantine church, carefully supervised by the Pastor of the community, Fr. Basil Arabatzis, is admired by parishioners and visitors.  George Pappavasiliou is the Parish Council President of the community.