Local Restaurant Owner Seeks to Save Historic Wilkes-Barre Church
A Wilkes-Barre restaurant owner, Demetri Patitsas, is embarking on a new mission: preventing the demolition of the historic Holy Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral. Patitsas, owner of the Greek Shack, hopes to purchase the church and continue his work supporting Christian communities.
A Mission of Faith and Preservation
Demetri Patitsas, along with his twin brother, founded St. Paul’s Fellowship of Labor, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Christian communities internationally. Upon learning of the Holy Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral's impending demolition due to costly repairs and declining attendance, Patitsas offered to buy the property to preserve its historical significance.
"You don’t knock down an ancient, historic, sacred place when there’s a group that’s willing to take it," expressed Demetri Patitsas, chief servant leader of The Greek Shack.
The History and the Dispute
The Holy Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral was built in 1892 by Father Alexis Toth, a canonized saint in the Orthodox Church. The church is currently owned by the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, which announced its closure over a year ago due to financial and safety concerns. Patitsas, however, disagrees with the diocese's assessment of the building's condition.
"There’s nothing wrong with this church that can’t be maintained through basic maintenance," said Patitsas.
The Offer and the Silence
While the church was listed for $300,000 a year ago, Patitsas offered $200,000, expressing confidence that fundraising could exceed that amount and provide additional funds for renovation. After initial conversations and a tour of the church, the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania reportedly ceased communication with Patitsas.
"What I find frustrating is that here’s a buyer who’s not going to take the church to make it into a disco or start selling margaritas there, but maintain it as a youthful revival of an orthodox ancient tradition," voiced Patitsas.
28/22 News reached out to the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania for comment but has not yet received a response.
