NORTH WILDWOOD – The Reverend Father Steven J. Vlahos, pastor of the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church has terminated his pastoral leadership and retired for health reasons as of March 1, 2016.
Father Vlahos, a native of Chicago and 1963 honors graduate of the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Theological School has served the St. Demetrios Church since September 1992.
He has led numerous efforts for the improvement of the church buildings, but he was most instrumental in the building of the seawall that protects the ocean side church and community center from the Atlantic Ocean.
The conclusion of the 23 year sacred ministry served the people well. In addition to conducting the weekly worship services and homilies, he provided the parish with a Sunday bulletin. He also conducted the sacraments of baptism, marriage and funerals – ministering specifically to the sick, homebound and church members in area nursing facilities.
Father Vlahos together with parish leaders and members, as well as parish children, dressed in ethnic costumes presided at the annual civic celebrations of Greek Independence in North Wildwood, Wildwood City, Wildwood Crest and Cape May Court House.
As a token of appreciation for his services, the Saint Demetrios parish hosted a farewell retirement dinner in the recently renovated community center in honor of Father Vlahos Feb. 28.
The Metropolis of New Jersey will be appointing a new priest in due time. In the interim, priests will be conducting weekly services.
Cape May County – Why don't we have a local TV station in South Jersey? We had channel 40 in Linwood and that's gone. Maybe because it highlighted real news at times!! With all due respect to the Cape May…
