The Greek community of St. Demetrios in Upper Darby gathered this week for an evening liturgy marking the final day of preparation for the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos.
Father Nektarios led the service, honoring the Koímēsis tēs Theotokou (Κοίμησις Θεοτόκου), often anglicized as Kimisis—a central feast in the Orthodox calendar commemorating the falling asleep of the Virgin Mary.
As the service came to a close, the epitafio, an icon representing the bier of the Theotokos, was carried with care and reverence down Powell Lane. Parishioners followed closely behind, candles in hand, chanting hymns in Greek as they moved together through the quiet summer evening.
It was a powerful expression of faith and tradition—one that connected the community not only to its heritage, but to generations of Orthodox Christians around the world who mark this solemn feast in much the same way.