Rev. Fr. James N. Demitras

The Greek Orthodox Community of Steubenville, Ohio mourns the falling asleep in the Lord on August 10, 2023, of their beloved Spiritual Father and Pastor Emeritus, Reverend Father James N. Demitras at the age of 89.

He was born June 14, 1934, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The son of Greek immigrants, the late Nicholas Demitras from Rhodes, Greece, and Catherine Caretas born of Greek decent in Smyrna, Turkey. In addition to his parents, Father James was proceeded in death by his brothers, Bill, John, and sister Angela.

After high school, Father James had many ambitions. He loved aviation, astronomy, and learned all the planets in the galaxy and purchased powerful telescopes to observe them. He attended the University of Pittsburgh as a pre-med student; however, his interest changed from the studies of the creation to theological studies of God’s creation. He enrolled in St Vladimir’s Russian Orthodox Seminary where he earned a master’s degree in theology.

After graduating from the seminary, he was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Iakovos of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and was assigned to St. John the Baptist Greek Church in Charleston, West Virginia, where he served two years before his Bishop Maximos transferred him to Holy Trinity as an interim priest. Holy Trinity parish then requested he be permanently placed at Holy Trinity where he served for over 27 years until his retirement in 1991. While serving the parish of Holy Trinity, Fr James earned a master’s degree from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He was also a member of the Jefferson County 648 Mental Health Board.Fr. James loved opera, and he sang with full range of bass baritone with a strong vibrato. In addition to his operatic voice, he had the ability to change into a melodic byzantine mode which captivated the interest and delight of all generations. He had a talent for changing an English scale to Byzantine.

He was the epitome of love and unselfish devotion to his duties, parishioners, and an inspiration to all. His deep faith and wisdom, charismatic sermons, intense love for music, his reverence for Byzantine chanting, his smile and sense of humor and his caring heart for his people and fellow man will be remembered by all who had the privilege to know, admire and respect him. His legacy will live on in the generations he taught, and in the lives he touched.

Remembering him with love and fond admiration are his four children: Nicholas (Debby) of Steubenville, Ohio, Anthony (Shanley) of Toronto, Ohio; Anna Demitras of Las Vegas, Nevada; and James Jr. of Niles, Ohio. Grandchildren: Katina, Nicole, Alijah, Andoni, and Aizek Demitras. Great Grandchildren: Annabell and Ryan Nicholas (Niko).

Family and friends will be received on August 16, 2023, from 10:00am until time of service at noon at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 300 South Fourth Street, Steubenville, Ohio, with Fr Yianni Verginis officiating. Interment will follow at Union Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 300 South Fourth Street, Steubenville, Ohio 43952. Fr James will be sadly missed by all those he had touched, especially the entire congregation of Holy Trinity. May his memory be eternal! Offer condolences,www.mostifuneralhome.com