Greek Orthodox Community of East Vancouver
Saint Nicholas & Saint Dimitrios
Our Patron Saints
Every church is dedicated to a feast of the Lord, the Virgin Mary or a Saint. Our church has the honour of being dedicated to two Saints who showed their love to Christ and His Church with their sacrifice. May they intercede for us always!
St. Dimitrios the Myrrhstreamer
St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
Feastday: December 6th
Apolytikion (Dismissal Hymn):
Κανόνα πίστεως καἰ εἰκόνα πραότητος, ἐγκρατείας Διδάσκαλον, ἀνέδειξέ σε τῇ ποίμνῃ σου, ἡ τῶν πραγμάτων ἀλήθεια· διἀ τοῦτο ἐκτήσω τῇ ταπεινώσει τὰ ὑψηλά, τῇ πτωχείᾳ τὰ πλούσια, Πάτερ Ἱεράρχα Νικόλαε· πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.
The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, an icon of meekness, and a teacher of temperance; for this cause, thou hast achieved the heights by humility, riches by poverty. O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.
About his life:
St. Nicholas the Wonderworker lived during the time when Saint Constantine the Great ruled the Byzantine Empire. From a young age, St. Nicholas wanted to spend his time dedicated to God. But it was not until he went on his own religious journey to the holy city of Jerusalem where he found a quiet place and dedicated himself to prayer. Although his desire was to serve the Lord in this way, God would lead him back to his homeland to serve as its Shepherd, its Archbishop. During his tenure as Archbishop, he was known to all the faithful as a man expressing great mercy, providing necessities to the poor and less fortunate people.
St. Nicholas’ life would not only remain within the confines of Myra, though; he would play a very important part in a Council which saw Bishops come together from all across the Christian World. In 325 AD in Nicaea, St. Nicholas joined the First Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church that included 318 Fathers. This Council was the first time so many of the Church’s Bishops met to discuss various issues, including the heresy of Arius. St. Nicholas loved Truth so much, he lashed out at Arius in a moment of frustration during the Council meeting. Since it was against the Church for any clergymen to act in such a manner against another person, the bishops of the Council were uncertain of the punishment that would be given to St. Nicholas. However, our Lord and our Lady Theotokos appeared to the bishops during the night, telling them that they should not punish St. Nicholas because his behavior towards Arius was out of his great devotion to the Orthodox faith. He passed away at a venerable age, fulfilling his call as Archbishop and a faithful servant of God.
St. Nicholas is usually referred to as “the Wonderworker” (οr θαυματουργός) because of the many miracles that are attributed to him. He is considered the Patron Saint of children, merchants, sailors, scholars, and anyone who travels by sea.
Scripture readings for his feastday include:
St. Nicholas Made a Difference!
St. Nicholas was a teacher of self-discipline and dedicated himself to prayer. He showed everyone that he had a passion for seeking the Truth. He spread the word of God by putting others before him and saving the innocent from death. We can be like him if we show this Christ-like love that St. Nicholas also displayed throughout his life. May His example be one for us to follow, to be closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Father's Office Hours
Mon - Thurs, 10:00 am - 12:00 noon
Church Office Hours
Tuesday - Saturday, 9:00am - 5:00 pm
St. Dimitrios the Myrrhstreamer
Feastday: October 26th
Apolytikion (Dismissal Hymn):
Μέγαν εὕρατο ἐν τοῖς κινδύνοις, σὲ ὑπέρμαχον ἡ οἰκουμένη, Ἀθλοφόρε τὰ ἔθνη τροπούμενον. Ὡς οὖν Λυαίου καθεῖλες τὴν ἔπαρσιν, ἐν τῷ σταδίῳ θαρρύνας τὸν Νέστορα, οὕτως Ἅγιε, Μεγαλομάρτυς Δημήτριε, Χριστὸν τὸν Θεὸν ἱκέτευε, δωρήσασθαι ἡμῖν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.
All the world has you, its mighty champion,fortifying us in times of danger,and defeating our foes, O Victorious One. So, as you humbled Lyaios's arrogance by giving courage to Nestor in the stadium, thus,O holy Great Martyr Dimitrios, to Christ our God pray fervently,beseeching Him to grant us His great mercy.
About his life:
Saint Dimitrios the Great Martyr hailed from Thessaloniki. He belonged to a noble and religious family of whom he was the most religious son. In his life, St. Dimitrios taught about Christ and His love to every person who wanted to listen.
At the time St. Dimitrios was alive, it was seen as 'illegal‛ to be a Christian according to the Roman authorities. They couldn’t understand Christianity and its message of love. For hundreds of years, thousands of Christians witnessed for Christ through martyrdom.
In 290, Emperor Maximian went to Thessaloniki. When it was discovered that St. Dimitrios was a Christian, he was arrested and kept bound in a bath-house. When the Olympics were taking place in the city, Maximian remained a spectator and a certain friend of his arrived. His name was Lyaeus, a barbarian and a notable wrestler because of his height and strength of his body. As Lyaeus stormed into the stadium, he challenged the citizens to a contest but all who fought with him were defeated. At that moment, a youth by the name of Nestor, another Christian of Thessaloniki, went to visit St. Dimitrios. Nestor asked for the Saint's blessing to fight Lyaeus single-handed. Nestor then sealed himself with the sign of the precious Cross and said, "O God of Dimitrios, help me!" Immediately, Nestor began the combat and overpowered Lyaeus with a mortal blow to the heart, leaving Lyaeus lifeless upon the earth he once fought. As Maximian became overwhelmed with grief and learned who was the cause of this defeat, he commanded that St. Dimitrios be held accountable. St. Dimitrios was pierced with a long cavalry spear. Maximian also commanded that Nestor be slain with his own sword.
Scriptural Readings for the Saint's feast include:
St. Dimitrios made a difference!
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He was able to fight against the powers of the Evil One with the help of Christ. If we have faith, Jesus says that we can do great and marvelous things.
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St. Dimitrios taught people about the Faith, brought them closer to God and was willing to give up everything to be close to Him. All of us should take a moment and ask, are we bringing ourselves, our family and friends closer to Him?
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Being brave for God will mean that we will be together with Him. Let’s make that commitment today.
