Saints Markella and Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church

Fort Walton Beach, FL

Under the guidance of Fr. Constantine Leftheris of the Mission Parish of Pensacola, founding members Constantine and Maritsa Loizos established Saints Markella and Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in 1964. What began as a congregation of 20 people is currently a thriving community of 110 families and growing.

The parish built a new hall in 1976 and in 1991 added a larger kitchen, offices and classrooms. Happily, the ground breaking ceremony for a new church will take place on Saturday, July 26, 2003, with His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios officiating at the ceremony.

Originally serving only the Fort Walton Beach Greek Orthodox Community, Saints Markella and Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church is led by Archimandrite Constantine T. Mersinas and its Parish Council President, Tim Boolos, and now serves the Greater Fort Walton Beach/Destin area. It serves not only the Greek Orthodox Community but, also serves all Orthodox Christians such as Russian, Romanian, Serbian, Antiochian, etc. There are several converts added to the fold each year.

The mission of the Parish is to keep and proclaim pure and undefiled the Orthodox Christian Faith and tradition in conformity with the doctrine, canons, worship, discipline, usage and customs of the Church. This is achieved by proclaiming the Gospel in accordance with Orthodox Faith, sanctifying its members through worship, the Divine Liturgy and the other sacraments, adding to their numbers by instructing others and admitting them to the Church through baptism and/or chrismation, educating in the Orthodox Faith and carrying on conscientiously philanthropic activities.

Saints Markella and Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church should best be remembered for its witnessing to Orthodox Christianity in Florida’s Panhandle.

To visit the parish website, please click here.