WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— A local restaurant owner is now taking on a new mission: saving an old church.
28/22 News reporter Joe Mason has his story from Wilkes-Barre.
"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, The Greek Shack.
Demetri Patitsas owns the Greek Shack restaurant and food truck in Luzerne County.
Patitsas is a man of faith.
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He and his twin brother founded St. Paul's Fellowship of Labor, a nonprofit organization that supports Christian communities in various countries.
After hearing that the Holy Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral in Wilkes-Barre was headed for demolition, he stepped in to buy it, hoping to continue his mission.
"The mission of that youth organization has always been to bring a youthful revival to an ancient tradition, and this holy resurrection church in Wilkes-Barre may not be ancient, but it's part of an old, very old, and beautiful history of the Wilkes-Barre city," explained Patitsas.
The church was built in 1892 by Father Alexis Toth.
A canonized saint in the orthodox church. It's owned by the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, which released a statement over a year ago stating that the church would be closing due to costly and unsafe repairs, as well as dwindling attendance.
Patitsas disagrees with the building assessment.
"There's nothing wrong with this church that can't be maintained through basic maintenance," said Patitsas.
The church's price tag was $300,000 a year ago. Patitsas offered $200,000.
"Through fundraising, not only can we exceed the $200,000, but we can also put some money aside to make sure that there are ample funds for renovation and to redecorate the church," added Patitsas.
After conversations and a tour of the church, the diocese stopped responding.
"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 also reached out to the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania to ask why they haven't been communicating with Patitsas, but have not heard back.
