Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Daytona Beach FL

Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Daytona Beach

Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Daytona Beach serves the Orthodox Christian community of Daytona Beach, Florida, offering regular worship services and preserving Greek Orthodox faith, traditions, and community life in the region.

Phone:

+1 (386) 252-6012

E-mail:

phyllis.hawkins@stdemetriosdaytona.org

Website:

https://www.stdemetriosdaytona.org

Address:

129 North Halifax Avenue

Daytona Beach, Florida 32118

Directions:

Get directions

Clergy:

Rev. Presbyter Alexander Kamilaris, Presiding Priest

Church Type:

Parish

Denomination:

Greek Orthodox

Metropolis:

Metropolis of Atlanta

Affiliation:

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Ecumenical Patriarch:

Bartholomew I of Constantinople

Clergy Information updated Jan 2026

History

Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Daytona Beach, Florida has served the Orthodox Christian faithful of the Florida coast since the mid-twentieth century, growing from a small community into one of the most visible and beloved Greek Orthodox presences in the Sunshine State. The church building at 129 North Halifax Avenue, designed in the cruciform Byzantine tradition with a dome bearing the image of Christ Pantocrator, sits on the Halifax River and has become one of the most distinctive religious landmarks on the Daytona Beach skyline.

A transformative chapter in the parish's history began in April 1975, when Father George Papadeas arrived as the parish priest. Father Papadeas, a visionary and prolific Orthodox author and educator, recognized that the church could share its faith and culture with the broader community through a major annual festival. Gathering a small group of dedicated leaders, he brought the first annual Greek Festival to fruition in December 1975 with remarkable fanfare: Daytona Beach Mayor Larry Kelly lit an Olympic-style torch on the steps of City Hall, and police escorted a relay of runners all the way to the Community Center for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Thousands attended that first weekend, enjoying Greek food, pastries, plants, handicrafts, and icons while folk dancers performed for appreciative crowds, and church tours introduced the Orthodox faith to visitors in numbers the small parish had never before seen. That first festival set the format that endures to this day, and the Daytona Beach Greek Festival has grown into one of Florida's most celebrated annual Hellenic cultural events.

Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church at 129 North Halifax Avenue in Daytona Beach serves the Orthodox Christian faithful of the greater Daytona area as a parish of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, its doors open year-round to the faithful and to all who seek to encounter the beauty of the ancient Orthodox Christian tradition on the shores of the Halifax River.

This page serves as a reference resource for Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Daytona Beach, providing essential information such as location, contact details, clergy, and church affiliation. It is intended to help visitors and members of the Orthodox Christian community easily find accurate parish information in one place.

Map Directions

How to Get To Saint Demetrios

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register as a member at a Greek Orthodox parish?

Parish membership is generally established by registering with the church office. Each parish may have its own process for enrollment and participation in parish life.

Can I attend services if I am not a registered member of the parish?

Greek Orthodox churches welcome visitors and non-members to attend services. Participation in sacraments may require coordination with the parish and priest.

How do I contact the parish priest for pastoral matters?

Pastoral requests are typically handled by the parish priest. The parish office can assist with contact details and help coordinate appointments or inquiries.

How do I register to baptize my child in the Greek Orthodox Church?

Baptism requests are handled by the local parish. The church will usually require documentation from the parents and godparent, along with coordination with the priest to schedule the baptism.

How do I request a wedding date at my Greek Orthodox church?

Wedding dates are scheduled through the parish office and priest. Availability depends on the church calendar, fasting periods, and parish guidelines, so it is recommended to inquire well in advance.

How do I obtain a copy of my Greek Orthodox marriage certificate?

Marriage certificates are typically issued by the church where the sacrament took place. To request a copy, contact the parish office directly and ask what information or identification is required.

How do I obtain a copy of my Greek Orthodox baptismal certificate?

Baptismal certificates are typically issued by the church where the baptism took place. To request a copy, contact the parish office directly and ask what information or identification is required.

CLICK FOR CHURCH DIRECTORY

METROPOLIS OF ATLANTA HOME