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To know and experience the love of GOD –Father, Son and Holy Spirit; to worship Him in spirit and in truth as taught by the Lord through His Apostles; and to welcome and encourage others to know and love Him! 

James Lee Bileca, age 55, of Fairfield, passed away suddenly on July 16, 2021. Born in Bridgeport, son of the late John and Victoria Rasta Bileca, Mr. Bileca had been a Fairfield Town resident for most of his life. In his youth, Jim was a professional Jai-Alai player in both the Bridgeport and Milford Frontons. He later went on to Sacred Heart University where he received the Medal of Excellence for his perfect grades in the field of finance, where he graduated with a Bachelors and Masters Degree. Jim later went on to work as a financial advisor for Merrill Lynch in Westport and Morgan Stanley in Fairfield. He was known for his outgoing nature and generosity. Mr. Bileca was a longtime member of St. Dimitrie Orthodox Church.

He is survived by his sister, Karen Scinto, and her husband, Richard, of Fairfield; his cherished niece and nephew, Krystal Scinto, of Fairfield and Richard J. Scinto, and wife, Grace, of Milford; and a grand-niece, Hazel Scinto. Jim leaves his loving aunt, Elizabeth Babu of Fairfield; a Goddaughter, Samantha, and her parents, who Jim considered family, Michael and Anne Gaydos of Shelton. He also leaves behind many loving cousins and friends.

Friends may call at the church on Thursday, July 22, 2021 from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 22, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Dimitrie Orthodox Church, 504 Sport Hill Road in Easton with his burial to follow in Lakeview Cemetery in Bridgeport.

Arrangements in the care of the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: St. Dimitrie Orthodox Church. Click link for Donation page and go to blue DONATE button 

John Robert Tobin II, age 36, of Milford passed away unexpectedly on Monday, June 28, 2021 at his home. He was the son of our newly chrismated MaryBeth Marsala Tobin of Trumbull. 

Friends may greet the family on Monday, July 5, 2021 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Dennis & D'Arcy – Abriola & Kelemen Funeral Home, 2611 Main Street, StratfordA Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 meeting directly at 11:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church, Shelton. To offer online condolences, please visit www.dennisanddarcy.com. 

Congratulations to our newly chrismated Mary Beth [Florence] Tobin and her sponsors Psa Mariana Coca and, her cousin, Gloria Caranica who converted to Orthodoxy during Penetcost liturgy.  A fixture helping in the kitchen for several years, Mary Beth took the baptismal name of Florence in honor of her mother, the late Florence Marsala. 

May God Grant You Many Years!

Dear Parish, 

 

The Sonia Fund is now accepting applications for the scholarship established to honor the life and memory of Sonia Daly Belcher. This scholarship is local to New England and will be awarded to young Orthodox Christian women and men of outstanding character who are currently enrolled in an accredited institution of higher learning and who desire to serve the Church and others with joy and authenticity. Applications are due August 1, 2021.

 

We ask that you help us spread the word through any means you have available: e-newsletters, e-bulletins, website links, social media, and printed bulletins (see ad attached). We were blessed in our inaugural year to be able to award a total of $3,500 to two worthy recipients and look forward to hearing from the 2021 candidates. We are so excited to reward young people who live a life filled with service to others!

 

To learn more about the fund, to download an application, or to donate, please visit www.TheSoniaFund.org

 

With love in the Risen Lord!

The Sonia Daly Belcher Fund, Inc. Board of Directors

 

Sophie Giontzis, Mary Kazis, Erin Kimmett, Michele Markatos, Melanie Sabtchev, Khalil Samara, Amalia Sgourakes

You will be required to adhere to the following CDC Directives: 

1. Everyone must wear a face mask. Please bring one from home.

2. Your temperature will be taken with a thermal thermometer as you enter. Anyone displaying a fever will not be permitted to enter.

3. You will be required to use hand sanitizer (made available in the vestibule).

4. You will have to sign in–name and phone number–for our records in order to do tracking just in case, God forbid, someone contracts the virus. 
   
   By signing in each week, you are agreeing to what is stated in the document “COVID-19 Sign-in Sheet.” These notices will also be posted at church.

5. You will be allowed to sit in the open pews keeping the proper distance (6 feet or 2 meters) between each other unless you live together. Alternate rows will be taped off.

6. . HOLY COMMUNION - When you approach the chalice, you will be given a napkin to hold under your chin and I will use a new, disposable spoon for each person who receives the body and blood of Christ.  

7. No handshakes or hugs (I’m sorry ‘cause I want to hug all of you). 

8. Icons, etc. should not be kissed, it would be fine to bow your head.

9. Unfortunately, there will be no Fellowship Hour in the Hall until further notice.

10. We will try to have doors open so that you don’t have to touch handles.

11. There will be no books in the pews so that you don’t have to worry about touching them.

12. The pews and all items will be disinfected after each service and multiple doors will be open after the service so that we can keep our distance while exiting. 

13. We may offer nafura (church bread) in the most sanitary manner possible. 

    I urge those of you who are among the more vulnerable to not rush back just yet and if you don’t feel safe, it’s alright to excuse yourself. We are in very careful times and we want everyone to be safe and to stay safe. I know that the Church should be the best and safest place to be, but we also have to be sensible. We don’t need to test the Lord and His care and love for us. 

    God bless us and protect us and keep us safe. 

    With love and concern for all of you, 

    Fr. George

Many parishioners have been expressing a desire to have candles lit and prayers said for them. Click the "Prayers and Virtual Candles" tab above (it will appear white when you mouse over it.)

1. Request Candles be lit
2. Submit Prayer Requests (confidential between you and Fr George)
3. Make Donations

For additional information click this link for a pdf outlining step by step instructions.

This year because of our limitations in participating in our hall, Ladies’ Auxiliary President Diane Nicola asked the ladies not to bring food for Caraga. Instead, they were requested to help our kitchen crew by bringing kitchen supplies. P-sa Marian said she felt like Christmas with the all the “gifts” that were brought. The above picture shows her with all the supplies brought just by Evelyn Balamaci.

God bless our Ladies' Auxiliary and all the generous contributors from so many ladies. I’m sorry we can’t name all of you individually- God bless! Thank you so much for your kindness. Please consider joining them as members of our Auxiliary in Fellowship and working for the Parish---and fun times, too!

Please keep in mind we can always use these donations

Congratulations to our new officers. May God bless their work for St Dimitrie and our community. 

President  - Diana Nicola
Vice President - Marie Wood
Treasurer - Linda Lazar
Secretary/Recording Administrator - Annette Shawah
Auditors - Audrey Fatsy and Jennie Babu
Membership - Marie Agostin
 

A special thanks to outgoing President Betsy Cipu, who has been President of the Ladies for a total of 16 years, and her outgoing officers.

On Sunday, October 25, 2020 we honored the feast of our patron saint, St. Dimitrie, the Martyr with Divine Liturgy and Vespers. See below for Fr. George's sermon and selections from the Vespers service .
Although we were unable to have our traditional dinner, we celebrated the 99th birthday of Mrs. Elizaveta (Veta) Babu and  Fr. George shared some words of wisdom from his mother-in-law.

Click here to hear special La Multi Ani wishes to Veta from her nephew Christopher Dima and his daughter Alexandra.

Our own vegan chef extraordinaire, Linda Soper-Kolton offers her recipe blog to our community.  All her recipes are meat- and dairy-free.  You can even search for recipies by meal or specific ingredient. 

She also has written a vegan cookbook for the Catskill Sanctuary called "Compassionate Cuisine: The Cookbook" .  See her for information about purchasing a copy.

Linda - Thank you for your sharing your gifts with us

St. Dimitrie 's new icons are in the Pulse Section of Saturday's (8/31/13) CT Post!  See the article "Creative Gifts, Spirituality Shine in Icon Painter's Art"

http://www.ctpost.com/entertainment/article/Creative-gifts-spirituality-shine-in-icon-4769165.php