Reverend Father Demetrios Michaelides

Reverend Father Demetrios Michaelides of Quincy, passed away on January 1^, 2016 at the age of 98. He lived a full life in dedication to the Greek Orthodox Church, his family and friends. Father Demetrios was born in Larnaca, Cyprus in 1917. 

After graduating high school, he and his twin brother, Themistocles, immigrated to America to join their father, Very Reverend John Michaelides, who had immigrated to Massachusetts several years earlier.  

In 1937, Demetrios after deciding to become a priest, responded to an invitation by the Archbishop to attend the newly opened Holy Cross Theological School in Pomfret, Connecticut. This was the first Greek Orthodox Seminary in America.  He was among the pioneers of the Church in America and a member of the first class to graduate from the seminary in 1942. He was later honored to receive the title of Protopresbyter.

Father was the beloved husband of the late Angelina (Cotoulas). Loving father of John Michaelides and his wife Natasha of Shrewsbury; Cathy Donath and her husband Cliff of Waltham; and Helen Cobban and her husband Rick of Abington. Cherished “Papou” (grandfather) of Christina Michaelides McLaughlin and her husband John; Scott Cobban; and Stacey Cobban Gigante and her husband Rick. He also leaves his twin great grandchildren Alexis and Nathaniel McLaughlin. Father is also “Papou” to Jason and Jen Donath and their twins Brooke & Evan. Demetrios is predeceased by his brothers Christos, Michalakis, Paraskevas, Themistocles, Antonios and his sister Helen Psakis. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

For over 50 years, he dedicated his service to the church. Father served parishes in Chattanooga, Tennessee; Savannah, Georgia; Wheeling, West Virginia and several communities in the New England area.  

In 1961, he became the first full-time priest at St. Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Quincy, Massachusetts.  In the past several years, he felt honored to be able to occasionally take part in services at the new St. Catherine’s church in Braintree, Massachusetts. 

Father Demetrios had a great love for music, particularly liturgical music and chanting. He had formal vocal training, organized choirs in his parishes and for special performances. He participated in choral groups through the years and enjoyed writing music. As one colleague noted, “His melodic voice still rings with confidence” even through his senior years.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Thursday, January 7, 2016 from 4-8 pm at St. Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church, 119 Common Street, Braintree, MA 02184. The Funeral Service will be held on Friday at 11 am at St. Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church.

Burial in Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Rev. Demetrios Michaelides may be made to St. Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church, 119 Common Street, Braintree, MA 02184.