Agios Dimitrios in Germany

A real Greek Orthodox church in Herten, Germany; another unexpected find for me here in the heart of the "Ruhrgebiet". 
The congregation includes the districts of Recklinghausen and Wesel, parts of the district of Coesfeld and the cities of Gelsenkirchen and Herne. It has approximately 3000 members and is part of the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan City of Bonn, which is subordinate to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (Istanbul ).

It is named after Saint Dimitrios, who is especially venerated in northern Greece in the area around Thessaloniki, where the majority of parishioners have their roots. The archpriest of the community is Father Apostolos Amvrasis. With the help of his employees, the parishioners, the city of Herten and other donors, the dream of building a Greek Orthodox church in Herten was realized.

When we visited the church, outside relatives of the toddler who's to be baptized awaited more friends to witness the baptism of their youngest. The family told us we're welcome to witness the baptism of their son, but we felt like intruders and thanked them for their invitation.
The sexton I met in the church (prior to the baptism) told me that the church service for a baptism isn't just a service; it is a Mysterio.


Baptism is the mystery which transforms the old sinful man into the new, pure man; the old life, the sins, any mistakes made are gone and a clean slate is given. Through baptism one is united to the Body of Christ by becoming a member of the Orthodox Church. During the service water is blessed. The catechumen is fully immersed in the water three times in the name of the Holy Trinity. This is considered to be a death of the “old man” by participation in the crucifixion and burial of Christ, and a rebirth into new life in Christ by participation in his resurrection.
Properly a new name is given, which becomes the person’s name.

Backblip 4

Backblip 3 here