Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Stewardship
Festival

"Come and see" (from the Holy Gospel according to St. John 1:39)

Located in beautiful Camarillo, St. Demetrios has served Ventura County, California for over 45 years. St. Demetrios was founded in 1970 as the Greek Orthodox Church of Ventura County.

The parish became the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in 1977 by purchasing the Oxnard Air Force base chapel at the Camarillo Airport. In 2004, in response to our growing community, the Parish purchased land to build a new church, meeting hall, and chapel on a 4-acre parcel near Santa Rosa and Woodcreek Road in the Mission Oaks area of Camarillo. Work on the new property began in the fall of 2013. The first phase of construction was completed and the Thyranoixia Celebration was held on Saturday May 30th 2015 with the first Divine Liturgy the following day (Sunday).

Today the parish aptly reflects the American experience and comprises approximately 200 families representing at least 12 different nationalities, all witnessing to the Good News of Jesus Christ, striving to reflect His love, and living according to the ancient Christian principles and disciplines of the Eastern Orthodox Christian Church.

All are welcome at St. Demetrios. The church hosts weekly meetings for Bible study sessions, baking groups, Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops, a women’s group, potlucks and barbecues, and Family Integrated Religious Education…all to create a welcoming family atmosphere.

Message from Fr Gary

Fr Gary

Touched by Christ


I experienced an amazing awakening during our pilgrimage. Several things touched my heart, and you know me, I will spill these details, little by little, within my Sunday Liturgy sermons. Standing on the grounds where Christ walked and being at the sites where our Savior performed His miracles was most profound.


We entered the city of Nain. Our tour guide, Fr. Leondios (an Archimandrite of Greek descent), stumped me when he asked, “Who knows what happened here in Nain?” because he pronounced it “Nah-een.” When I realized where we were, I was provoked by the notion that this was where Christ raised the son of the widow from the dead. As He led His crowd into the city, He encountered the funeral procession and said to the grieving widow, “Don’t cry.” Two large groups, with two very different functions, collide at the city gates.


There is a lot to learn as we look at this collision. The first is a procession of death. It is the funeral of a young man that is the only son of his widowed mother. The second is comprised of Chris’s disciples and followers. One a procession of life and the other a procession of death.


The procession of death is exasperated by...


Continue Reading