Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Rev. Demetrios A. Recachinas, age 74 of Westport, loving husband of 46 years to Eleftheria Bakiris Recachinas, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 22, 2023 with his loving family by his side. Born on the island of Lefkada, Greece, he was the son of the late Anastasios and Ekaterini Arvanitis Recachinas. In 1966 he came to the U.S. and settled in Washington, D.C. where he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and was a member of the choir and Sunday School at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. He graduated from Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, MA, where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Master’s of Divinity, graduating with honors, Summa Cum Laude. Father Demetrios attended Princeton University School of Theology receiving his Master’s of Theology. He then attended the Catholic University School of Theology Department of Catechetical Education working towards a Ph.D. program.

Father Demetrios was ordained as a Deacon on Palm Sunday, April 3, 1977 and was ordained into Holy Priesthood at Saint Paraskevi in Greenlawn, Long Island, four months later. He was assigned as Assistant Pastor at his home parish of Saints Constantine and Helen.

Father Demetrios served on several committees in the D.C. area, including the National Conference of Christian and Jews Executive Committee, the White House Conference for the Elderly and the President Reagan Inaugural Committee for the International Sector, Catholic University and Maryland University Ethnic Studies Committee, and the UN Environmental Program Committee. He represented the Archdiocese in many official capacities as well.

On August 31, 1983, Archbishop Iacovos appointed Father Demetrios as Pastor of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Bridgeport. His emphasis in his ministry was on youth, in addition to the numerous groups and organizations of the multifaceted ministry of the church. Under his leadership, many programs were revitalized and developed, resulting in a flourishing parish. He was a member of the Orthodox Clergy Association of the Greater Bridgeport Area and served as its Treasurer and President. He was a member of the Archdiocesan Youth Commission, a member of the Advisory Board of Sacred Heart University and served on the Board of Chaplains of St. Vincent’s Hospital and Bridgeport Hospital.

Father Demetrios served on the Board of Trustees and Executive Board of Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology and also served on the Board of Trustees of St. Basil’s Academy. He was one of the founders of the FORCC and was instrumental in organizing local and Diocesan youth events.

Father Demetrios represented the church at the Ecumenical Patriarchate during the Third Millennium First-Ever World-Wide Orthodox Ecumenical Conference, and also represented the Archdiocese at the World-Wide Biennial SAE Conference in Thessaloniki, Greece.

In 2001, Father Demetrios was bestowed with the highest honor awarded to a married clergyman of the Greek Orthodox Church, “Protobresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne,” by His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew on his visit to Holy Trinity.

In addition to his loving wife Eleftheria, he leaves behind his children, Tassos Recachinas, Katerina (Daniel) Pergola and Emmanuel (Paige) Recachinas, and three grandsons, Christopher, James and Nicholas. He also leaves behind his brothers, Dion (Laura) Recachina and Andrew (Sophie) Recachinas, his sisters, Sophia Espanopoulos and Christina Plotas, his sister-in-law, Haido Neda of Greece, and many nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his parents, his brother-in-law Apostolos Nedas of Greece, his brother-in-law Evangelos Espanopoulos and his uncle and aunt James and Antigone Recachinas.

The Rite of Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 10:30 AM at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Bridgeport with His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia and Fr. Georgios Livaditis Presbyter officiating. Divine Liturgy will start at 9:00 AM at the church. Interment to follow after services. Calling hours will take place Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Bridgeport with Trisagion Services to be held at 6:00 PM. The Commerce Hill Funeral Home, 4798 Main St. Bridgeport has been entrusted with the services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to his beloved Holy Trinity Church in memory of Rev. Demetrios A. Recachinas. For online condolences, memorial tributes and to make a donation, visit us at commercehillfh.com

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